Prolonged symptoms after infection with the novel coronavirus 2019 (SARS-COV-2) are an emerging challenge to individual patients, society, and clinicians. In a previous post on the JOSPT Blog, we identified several lessons from research and clinical practice in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) that are important lessons for long COVID. The purpose of this post is to discuss the phenomenon of postexertional symptom exacerbation (PESE) and its clinical identification to recognize the potential onset of long COVID.
Data from a large international web-based patient survey indicate substantial symptom overlap between postacute SARS-COV-2 infection (long COVID) and ME/CFS at 6 months following the onset of first symptoms. Three quarters of respondents noted disabling fatigue and over half noted cognitive dysfunction.4 A unique finding of this survey was that 75% of respondents noted PESE, which is a worsening of symptoms after activity/exercise.4 PESE is foundational to the diagnosis of ME/CFS and it is common with long COVID.4,5 This observation suggests we can further extend lessons from ME/CFS to develop our understanding of long COVID.
Read the rest of this article HERE.
Source: Todd E. Davenport Staci R. Stevens Jared Stevens Christopher R. Snell J. Mark Van Ness. Lessons from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for Long COVID: Postexertional Symptom Exacerbation is an Abnormal Response to Exercise/Activity. Published online on February 2, 2022 https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.blog.20220202