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Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Díaz-Gil G, Gil-Crujera A, Gómez-Sánchez SM, Ambite-Quesada S, Torres-Macho J, Ryan-Murua P, Franco-Moreno AI, Pellicer-Valero OJ, Arendt-Nielsen L, Giordano R. Inflammatory Polymorphisms (IL-6 rs1800796, IL-10 rs1800896, TNF-α rs1800629, and IFITM3 rs12252) Are Not Associated with Post-COVID Symptoms in Previously Hospitalized COVID-19 Survivors. Viruses 2024; 16:275. [PMID: 38400050 PMCID: PMC10891518 DOI: 10.3390/v16020275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify the association between four selected inflammatory polymorphisms with the development of long-term post-COVID symptoms in subjects who had been hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave of the pandemic. These polymorphisms were selected as they are associated with severe COVID-19 disease and cytokine storm, so they could be important to prognoses post-COVID. A total of 408 (48.5% female, age: 58.5 ± 14.0 years) previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors participated. The three potential genotypes of the following four single-nucleotide polymorphisms, IL-6 rs1800796, IL-10 rs1800896, TNF-α rs1800629, and IFITM3 rs12252, were obtained from non-stimulated saliva samples of the participants. The participants were asked to self-report the presence of any post-COVID symptoms (defined as symptoms that had started no later than one month after SARS-CoV-2 acute infection) and whether the symptoms persisted at the time of the study. At the time of the study (mean: 15.6, SD: 5.6 months after discharge), 89.4% of patients reported at least one post-COVID symptom (mean number of symptoms: 3.0; SD: 1.7). Fatigue (69.3%), pain (40.9%), and memory loss (27.2%) were the most prevalent post-COVID symptoms in the total sample. Overall, no differences in the post-COVID symptoms depending on the IL-6 rs1800796, IL-10 rs1800896, TNF-α rs1800629, and IFITM3 rs12252 genotypes were seen. The four SNPs assessed, albeit having been previously associated with inflammation and COVID-19 severity, did not cause a predisposition to the development of post-COVID symptoms in the previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Sensory Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (L.A.-N.); (R.G.)
| | - Gema Díaz-Gil
- Research group GAMDES, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28933 Madrid, Spain; (G.D.-G.); (A.G.-C.); (S.M.G.-S.)
| | - Antonio Gil-Crujera
- Research group GAMDES, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28933 Madrid, Spain; (G.D.-G.); (A.G.-C.); (S.M.G.-S.)
| | - Stella M. Gómez-Sánchez
- Research group GAMDES, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28933 Madrid, Spain; (G.D.-G.); (A.G.-C.); (S.M.G.-S.)
| | - Silvia Ambite-Quesada
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
| | - Juan Torres-Macho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor-Virgen de la Torre, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.T.-M.); (P.R.-M.); (A.I.F.-M.)
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Ryan-Murua
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor-Virgen de la Torre, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.T.-M.); (P.R.-M.); (A.I.F.-M.)
| | - Ana I. Franco-Moreno
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor-Virgen de la Torre, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (J.T.-M.); (P.R.-M.); (A.I.F.-M.)
| | - Oscar J. Pellicer-Valero
- Image Processing Laboratory (IPL), Universitat de València, Parc Científic, Paterna, 46100 València, Spain;
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Sensory Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (L.A.-N.); (R.G.)
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mech-Sense, Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Rocco Giordano
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Sensory Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (L.A.-N.); (R.G.)
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Raveendran AV, Giordano R, Arendt-Nielsen L. Long COVID or Post-COVID-19 Condition: Past, Present and Future Research Directions. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2959. [PMID: 38138102 PMCID: PMC10745830 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of symptoms after an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (long-COVID) has become a worldwide healthcare emergency but remains underestimated and undertreated due to a lack of recognition of the condition and knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. In fact, the prevalence of post-COVID symptoms ranges from 50% during the first months after the infection up to 20% two-years after. This perspective review aimed to map the existing literature on post-COVID symptoms and to identify gaps in the literature to guide the global effort toward an improved understanding of long-COVID and suggest future research directions. There is a plethora of symptomatology that can be due to COVID-19; however, today, there is no clear classification and definition of this condition, termed long-COVID or post-COVID-19 condition. The heterogeneity in the symptomatology has led to the presence of groups/clusters of patients, which could exhibit different risk factors and different mechanisms. Viral persistence, long-lasting inflammation, immune dysregulation, autoimmune reactions, reactivation of latent infections, endothelial dysfunction and alteration in gut microbiota have been proposed as potential mechanisms explaining the complexity of long-COVID. In such an equation, viral biology (e.g., re-infections, SARS-CoV-2 variants), host biology (e.g., genetics, epigenetics) and external factors (e.g., vaccination) should be also considered. These various factors will be discussed in the current perspective review and future directions suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (R.G.); (L.A.-N.)
| | | | - Rocco Giordano
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (R.G.); (L.A.-N.)
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (R.G.); (L.A.-N.)
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Mech-Sense, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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Castaldo M, Ebbesen BD, Fernández-DE-Las-Peñas C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Giordano R. COVID-19 and musculoskeletal pain: an overview of the current knowledge. Minerva Anestesiol 2023; 89:1134-1142. [PMID: 38019176 DOI: 10.23736/s0375-9393.23.17471-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has provoked billions of infections worldwide. Several meta-analyses have observed that up to 50% of individuals who had survived to a SARS-CoV-2 acute infection suffer from post-COVID symptoms lasting for weeks or months and up to one year after infection. The prevalence of post-COVID pain ranges between 10% to 20% when assessed with other overall post-COVID symptoms and can reach up to 50% to 60% when investigated specifically. The most common musculoskeletal manifestations of post-COVID-19 condition include fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia or back pain. Despite pain of musculoskeletal origin is one of the most prevalent post-COVID pain symptoms, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of musculoskeletal post-COVID pain are not completely understood. Studies have reported the complexity of post-COVID pain including immune, biological, and psychological factors, and more recently, they have suggested that genetic and epigenetic factors may also play a potential role, highlighting the need for further investigation into these mechanisms. Its management is still controversial, as no specific guideline for treating musculoskeletal post-COVID pain has been proposed with only general consideration about the relevance of multidisciplinary and multimodal treatment approaches. In this paper we will highlight the clinical features, the mechanism, and the management possibilities of musculoskeletal post-COVID pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Castaldo
- School of Medicine, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark -
| | - Brian D Ebbesen
- School of Medicine, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mech-Sense, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - César Fernández-DE-Las-Peñas
- School of Medicine, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- School of Medicine, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mech-Sense, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Rocco Giordano
- School of Medicine, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Nijs J, Giordano R, Arendt-Nielsen L. Precision management of post-COVID pain: An evidence and clinical-based approach. Eur J Pain 2023; 27:1107-1125. [PMID: 36852606 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Pain after a SARS-CoV-2 acute infection (post-COVID pain) is becoming a new healthcare emergency but remains underestimated and most likely undertreated due to a lack of recognition of the phenomenon and knowledge of the underlying pain mechanisms. Evidence supporting any particular treatment approach for the management of post-COVID pain is lacking. Large variability in the patient response to any standard pain treatments is clinically observed, which has led to calls for a personalized, tailored approach to treating patients with chronic post-COVID pain (i.e. 'precision pain medicine'). Applying the global concerted action towards precision medicine to post-COVID pain could help guide clinical decision-making and aid in more effective treatments. Methods The current position paper discusses factors to be considered by clinicians for managing post-COVID pain ranging from identification of the pain phenotype to genetic consideration. Results The ability of clinicians to phenotype post-COVID pain into nociceptive, neuropathic, nociplastic or mixed type is suggested as the first step to better planification of a treatment programme. Further, the consideration of other factors, such as gender, comorbidities, treatments received at the acute phase of infection for onset-associated COVID-19 symptoms, factors during hospitalization or the presence of emotional disturbances should be implemented into a treatment programme. Conclusions Accordingly, considering these factors, management of post-COVID pain should include multimodal pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities targeting emotional/cognitive aspects (i.e. psychological and/or coping strategies), central sensitization-associated mechanisms (i.e. pain neuroscience education), exercise programmes as well as lifestyle interventions (e.g. nutritional support and sleep management). SIGNIFICANCE: This position paper presents an evidence-based clinical reasoning approach for precision management of post-COVID pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Fernández-de-Las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jo Nijs
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Chronic pain rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Unit of Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Brussels, Sweden
| | - Rocco Giordano
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Mech-Sense, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Low RN, Low RJ, Akrami A. A review of cytokine-based pathophysiology of Long COVID symptoms. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1011936. [PMID: 37064029 PMCID: PMC10103649 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1011936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Long COVID/Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) group includes patients with initial mild-to-moderate symptoms during the acute phase of the illness, in whom recovery is prolonged, or new symptoms are developed over months. Here, we propose a description of the pathophysiology of the Long COVID presentation based on inflammatory cytokine cascades and the p38 MAP kinase signaling pathways that regulate cytokine production. In this model, the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection is hypothesized to trigger a dysregulated peripheral immune system activation with subsequent cytokine release. Chronic low-grade inflammation leads to dysregulated brain microglia with an exaggerated release of central cytokines, producing neuroinflammation. Immunothrombosis linked to chronic inflammation with microclot formation leads to decreased tissue perfusion and ischemia. Intermittent fatigue, Post Exertional Malaise (PEM), CNS symptoms with "brain fog," arthralgias, paresthesias, dysautonomia, and GI and ophthalmic problems can consequently arise as result of the elevated peripheral and central cytokines. There are abundant similarities between symptoms in Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). DNA polymorphisms and viral-induced epigenetic changes to cytokine gene expression may lead to chronic inflammation in Long COVID patients, predisposing some to develop autoimmunity, which may be the gateway to ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan J. Low
- Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Athena Akrami
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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