Tag: cardiovascular risks

People With Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Exhibit Similarly Impaired Vascular Function

Abstract:

Background: This study aimed to compare flow-mediated dilation values between individuals with Long COVID, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), and healthy age-matched controls to assess the potential implications for clinical management and long-term health outcomes.

Methods: A case-case-control approach was employed, and flow-mediated dilation measurements were obtained from 51 participants (17 Long COVID patients, 17 ME/CFS patients, and 17 healthy age-matched controls). Flow-mediated dilation values were analysed using one-way ANOVA for between-group comparisons.

Results: Results revealed significantly impaired endothelial function in both Long COVID and ME/CFS groups compared to healthy age-matched controls as determined by maximum % brachial artery diameter post-occlusion compared to pre-occlusion resting diameter (6.99 ± 4.33% and 6.60 ± 3.48% vs. 11.30 ± 4.44%, respectively, both p < 0.05). Notably, there was no difference in flow-mediated dilation between Long COVID and ME/CFS groups (p = 0.949), despite significantly longer illness duration in the ME/CFS group (ME/CFS: 16 ± 11.15 years vs. Long COVID: 1.36 ± 0.51 years, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that both Long COVID and ME/CFS patients exhibit similarly impaired endothelial function, indicating potential vascular involvement in the pathogenesis of these post-viral illnesses. The significant reduction in flow-mediated dilation values suggests an increased cardiovascular risk in these populations, warranting careful monitoring and the development of targeted interventions to improve endothelial function and mitigate long-term health implications.

Source: Marie Mclaughlin Ph.D , Nilihan E.M. Sanal-Hayes Ph.D ,Lawrence D. Hayes Ph.D , Ethan C. Berry BSc , Nicholas F. Sculthorpe Ph.D , People WithLong COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Exhibit Similarly Impaired Vascular Function, The American Journal of Medicine (2023). https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(23)00609-5/fulltext (Full text)

Beyond COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2, cardiovascular outcomes of “long covid” from a pathological perspective – a look back and road ahead

Abstract:

With the decrease in severity of COVID-19 there is a sense of relief in the general population. However, there has been an increased incidence of cardiovascular and other organ complications post-infection, which have raised concerns about long COVID. The term “long COVID” was first used by Perego on social media to denote the persistence of symptoms weeks or months after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection and the term ‘long haulers’ was first described by Watson and by Yong to identify post-COVID conditions.

There has been an increased incidence of sudden cardiac death and MI post-COVID-19 in healthy individuals, sports persons and prominent movie stars. Potential mechanisms contributing to the pathophysiology of post-acute COVID-19 may include 1) Damage to tissues and cells that are important for blood flow, so clotting of blood is increased. 2) Persistence of fragments of virus or its sub-particles/ protein material in a wide range of body sites and, 3) an immune system gone haywire.

As the majority of countries across the globe are easing coronavirus precautionary measures, there is an urgent need by health care organizations and policymakers worldwide to generate awareness by educating the public at large, about the ill effects of long-COVID and varied types of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.

Source: Aden D, Zaheer S, Kumar R, Raj S, Khan T, Varshney S. Beyond COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2, cardiovascular outcomes of “long covid” from a pathological perspective – a look back and road ahead. Pathol Res Pract. 2022 Sep 29;239:154144. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154144. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36242969; PMCID: PMC9519512.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9519512/ (Full text)

Low omega-3 index and polyunsaturated fatty acid status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested that low levels of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are associated with cardiovascular risk, major depression, sleep problems, inflammation and other health-related issues. So far, however, erythrocyte PUFA status in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) has not been established. This study aimed to determine whether n-3 PUFA content and omega-3 index are associated with measures in CFS/ME patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: PUFA levels and omega-3 index were measured in 31 Spanish CFS/ME patients using the HS-Omega-3 Index method. Demographic and clinical characteristics and self-reported outcome measures were also recorded.

RESULTS: A low mean omega-3 index (5.75%) was observed in 92.6% of the sample. Omega-3 index was inversely correlated with the AA/EPA ratio (p = 0.00002) and the BMI (p = 0.0106). In contrast, the AA/EPA ratio was positively associated with the BMI (p = 0.0038). No association for FIS-40 and PSQI measures was found (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The low omega-3 index found in our CFS/ME patients may indicate increased risks for cardiovascular health, which should be further investigated. A low omega-3 index also suggests a pro-inflammatory state in these patients. Attempts should be made to increase the omega-3 index in CFS/ME patients, based on intervention trials assessing a potential therapeutic value.

Source: Castro-Marrero J, Zaragozá MC, Domingo JC, Martinez-Martinez A, Alegre J, von Schacky C. Low omega-3 index and polyunsaturated fatty acid status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2018 Dec;139:20-24. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2018.11.006. Epub 2018 Nov 9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30471769