Tag: dyspnea

A pilot cross-sectional investigation of symptom clusters and associations with patient-reported outcomes in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post COVID-19 Condition

Abstract:

Background: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is associated with long-term disability and poor quality of life (QoL). Cardinal ME/CFS symptoms (including post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction and sleep disturbances) have been observed in Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC). To gain further insight into the potential role of ME/CFS as a post-COVID-19 sequela, this study investigates associations between symptoms and patient-reported outcomes, as well as symptom clusters.
Methods: Participants included Australian residents aged between 18 and 65 years formally diagnosed with ME/CFS fulfilling the Canadian or International Consensus Criteria or PCC meeting the World Health Organization case definition. Validated, self-administered questionnaires collected participants’ sociodemographic and illness characteristics, symptoms, QoL and functional capacity. Associations between symptoms and patient-reported outcomes were investigated with multivariate linear regression models. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to identify symptom clusters.
Results: Most people with ME/CFS (pwME/CFS) and people with PCC (pwPCC) were female (n = 48/60, 80.0% and n = 19/30, 63.3%, respectively; p = 0.12). PwME/CFS were significantly younger (x̄=41.75, s = 12.91 years) than pwPCC (x̄=48.13, s =10.05 years; p =0.017). Autonomic symptoms (notably dyspnoea) were associated with poorer scores in most patient-reported outcome domains for both cohorts. None of the four symptom clusters identified were unique to ME/CFS or PCC. Clusters were largely delineated by the presence of gastrointestinal and neurosensory symptoms, illness duration, ME/CFS criteria met and total symptoms.
Conclusions: Illness duration may explain differences in symptom burden between pwME/CFS and pwPCC. PCC diagnostic criteria must be refined to distinguish pwPCC at risk of long-term ME/CFS-like illness and subsequently deliver necessary care and support.
Source: Weigel B, Eaton-Fitch N, Thapaliya K, Marshall-Gradisnik S. A pilot cross-sectional investigation of symptom clusters and associations with patient-reported outcomes in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post COVID-19 Condition. Qual Life Res. 2024 Oct 3. doi: 10.1007/s11136-024-03794-x. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39361124. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11136-024-03794-x (Full text)

 

Characterization of long COVID temporal sub-phenotypes by distributed representation learning from electronic health record data: a cohort study

Abstract:

Background: Characterizing Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID (SARS-CoV-2 Infection), or PASC has been challenging due to the multitude of sub-phenotypes, temporal attributes, and definitions. Scalable characterization of PASC sub-phenotypes can enhance screening capacities, disease management, and treatment planning.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multi-centre observational cohort study, leveraging longitudinal electronic health record (EHR) data of 30,422 patients from three healthcare systems in the Consortium for the Clinical Characterization of COVID-19 by EHR (4CE). From the total cohort, we applied a deductive approach on 12,424 individuals with follow-up data and developed a distributed representation learning process for providing augmented definitions for PASC sub-phenotypes.

Findings: Our framework characterized seven PASC sub-phenotypes. We estimated that on average 15.7% of the hospitalized COVID-19 patients were likely to suffer from at least one PASC symptom and almost 5.98%, on average, had multiple symptoms. Joint pain and dyspnea had the highest prevalence, with an average prevalence of 5.45% and 4.53%, respectively.

Interpretation: We provided a scalable framework to every participating healthcare system for estimating PASC sub-phenotypes prevalence and temporal attributes, thus developing a unified model that characterizes augmented sub-phenotypes across the different systems.

Source: Dagliati A, Strasser ZH, Hossein Abad ZS, Klann JG, Wagholikar KB, Mesa R, Visweswaran S, Morris M, Luo Y, Henderson DW, Samayamuthu MJ, Tan BWQ, Verdy G, Omenn GS, Xia Z, Bellazzi R; Consortium for Clinical Characterization of COVID-19 by EHR (4CE),; Murphy SN, Holmes JH, Estiri H; Consortium for Clinical Characterization of COVID-19 by EHR (4CE). Characterization of long COVID temporal sub-phenotypes by distributed representation learning from electronic health record data: a cohort study. EClinicalMedicine. 2023 Sep 14;64:102210. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102210. PMID: 37745021; PMCID: PMC10511779. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10511779/ (Full text)

Trajectory of Post-COVID Self-Reported Fatigue and Dyspnoea in Individuals Who Had Been Hospitalized by COVID-19: The LONG-COVID-EXP Multicenter Study

Abstract:

Fatigue and dyspnoea are common post-COVID symptoms. The aim of this study was to apply Sankey plots and exponential bar plots for visualizing the evolution and trajectory of post-COVID fatigue and dyspnoea symptoms in a cohort of previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors. A total of 1266 previously hospitalized patients due to COVID-19 participated in this multicentre study. They were assessed at hospital admission (T0), 8.4 months (T1), 13.2 months (T2) and 18.3 months (T3) after hospital discharge and were asked about the presence of self-reported fatigue or dyspnoea symptoms.
Fatigue was defined as a self-perceived feeling of constant tiredness and/or weakness whereas dyspnoea was defined as a self-perceived feeling of shortness of breath at rest. We specifically asked for fatigue and dyspnoea that participants attributed to the infection. Clinical/hospitalization data were collected from hospital medical records.
The prevalence of post-COVID fatigue was 56.94% (n = 721) at T1, 52.31% (n = 662) at T2 and 42.66% (n = 540) at T3. The prevalence of dyspnoea at rest decreased from 28.71% (n = 363) at hospital admission (T0), to 21.29% (n = 270) at T1, to 13.96% (n = 177) at T2 and 12.04% (n = 153) at T3. The Sankey plots revealed that 469 (37.08%) and 153 (12.04%) patients exhibited fatigue and dyspnoea at all follow-up periods.
The recovery exponential curves show a decreased prevalence trend, showing that fatigue and dyspnoea recover the following three years after hospitalization. The regression models revealed that the female sex and experiencing the symptoms (e.g., fatigue, dyspnoea) at T1 were factors associated with the presence of post-COVID fatigue or dyspnoea at T2 and T3.
The use of Sankey plots shows a fluctuating evolution of post-COVID fatigue and dyspnoea during the first two years after infection. In addition, exponential bar plots revealed a decreased prevalence of these symptoms during the first years after. The female sex is a risk factor for the development of post-COVID fatigue and dyspnoea.
Source:Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Cancela-Cilleruelo I, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, Fuensalida-Novo S, Martín-Guerrero JD, Pellicer-Valero OJ, de-la-Llave-Rincón AI. Trajectory of Post-COVID Self-Reported Fatigue and Dyspnoea in Individuals Who Had Been Hospitalized by COVID-19: The LONG-COVID-EXP Multicenter Study. Biomedicines. 2023; 11(7):1863. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11071863 https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/7/1863 (Full text)

Cardiopulmonary testing in long COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 patients with undifferentiated Dyspnea on exertion

Abstract:

Background: Dyspnea and fatigue are characteristics of long SARS-CoV-2 (COVID)-19. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can be used to better evaluate such patients.

Research question: How significantly and by what mechanisms is exercise capacity impaired in patients with long COVID who are coming to a specialized clinic for evaluation?

Study design and methods: We performed a cohort study using the Mayo Clinic exercise testing database. Subjects included consecutive long COVID patients without prior history of heart or lung disease sent from the Post-COVID Care Clinic for CPET. They were compared to a historical group of non-COVID patients with undifferentiated dyspnea also without known cardiac or pulmonary disease. Statistical comparisons were performed by t-test or Pearson’s chi2 test controlling for age, sex, and beta blocker use where appropriate.

Results: We found 77 patients with long COVID and 766 control patients. Long COVID patients were younger (47 ± 15 vs 50 ± 10 years, P < .01) and more likely female (70% vs 58%, P < .01). The most prominent difference on CPETs was lower percent predicted peak V̇O2 (73 ± 18 vs 85 ± 23%, p < .0001). Autonomic abnormalities (resting tachycardia, CNS changes, low systolic blood pressure) were seen during CPET more commonly in long COVID patients (34 vs 23%, P < .04), while mild pulmonary abnormalities (mild desaturation, limited breathing reserve, elevated V̇E/V̇CO2) during CPET were similar (19% in both groups) with only 1 long COVID patient showing severe impairment.

Interpretation: We identified severe exercise limitation among long COVID patients. Young women may be at higher risk for these complications. Though mild pulmonary and autonomic impairment were common in long COVID patients, marked limitations were uncommon. We hope our observations help to untangle the physiologic abnormalities responsible for the symptomatology of long COVID.

Source: Contreras AM, Newman DB, Cappelloni L, Niven AS, Mueller MR, Ganesh R, Squires RW, Bonikowske AR, Allison TG. Cardiopulmonary testing in long COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 patients with undifferentiated Dyspnea on exertion. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2023 May 19:S0033-0620(23)00053-1. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2023.05.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37211198; PMCID: PMC10198738. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10198738/ (Full text)

Impaired health-related quality of life in long-COVID syndrome after mild to moderate COVID-19

Abstract:

A growing number of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections experience long-lasting symptoms. Even patients who suffered from a mild acute infection show a variety of persisting and debilitating neurocognitive, respiratory, or cardiac symptoms (Long-Covid syndrome), consequently leading to limitations in everyday life. Because data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is scarce, we aimed to characterize the impact of Long-Covid symptoms after a mild or moderate acute infection on HRQoL.

In this observational study, outpatients seeking counseling in the interdisciplinary Post-Covid consultation of the University Hospital Zurich with symptoms persisting for more than 4 weeks were included. Patients who received an alternative diagnosis or suffered from a severe acute Covid-19 infection were excluded. St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Euroquol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L), and the Short form 36 (SF-36) were distributed to assess HRQoL. 112 patients were included, 86 (76.8%) were female, median (IQR) age was 43 (32.0, 52.5) years with 126 (91, 180) days of symptoms.

Patients suffered frequently from fatigue (81%), concentration difficulties (60%), and dyspnea (60%). Patients mostly stated impairment in performing usual activities and having pain/discomfort or anxiety out of the EQ-5D-5L. EQ index value and SGRQ activity score component were significantly lower in females. SF-36 scores showed remarkably lower scores in the physical health domain compared to the Swiss general population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Long-Covid syndrome has a substantial impact on HRQoL. Long-term surveillance of patients must provide clarity on the duration of impairments in physical and mental health.

Trial registration: The study is registered on www.ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04793269.

Source: Malesevic S, Sievi NA, Baumgartner P, Roser K, Sommer G, Schmidt D, Vallelian F, Jelcic I, Clarenbach CF, Kohler M. Impaired health-related quality of life in long-COVID syndrome after mild to moderate COVID-19. Sci Rep. 2023 May 12;13(1):7717. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-34678-8. PMID: 37173355; PMCID: PMC10175927. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10175927/ (Full text)

Physical activity levels respiratory and peripheral muscle strength and pulmonary function in young post-COVID-19 patients : A cross-sectional study

Abstract:

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes permanent problems, even mild severity. The long-term consequences of COVID-19 are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate physical activity levels, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, and pulmonary function in the long term in young adult COVID-19 patients who recovered from mild disease.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at least 6 months after the COVID-19 diagnosis, 54 patients with COVID-19 (median age: 20 years) and 46 controls (median age: 21 years) were compared. Functional status (post-COVID-19 functional status scale), respiratory (maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP, MEP)) and peripheral muscle strength (dynamometer), pulmonary function (Spirometry), dyspnea and fatigue (modified Borg scale), and physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) were evaluated.

Clinicaltrial number: NCT05381714.

Results: Patients with COVID-19 measured and percent predicted MIP and MEP were statistically decreased compared with the controls (p < 0.05). Shoulder abductors muscle strength (p < 0.001) and the number of individuals with low physical activity levels were significantly higher in patients compared with controls (p = 0.048). Pulmonary function, quadriceps muscle strength, exertional dyspnea, and fatigue scores were similar in groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Respiratory and peripheral muscle strength and physical activity levels are adversely affected in patients with COVID-19, even though the patients were mildly affected in the long term. Also, symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue may persist. Therefore, these parameters should be evaluated in the long term, even in young adults who are mildly affected by COVID-19.

Source: Güneş M, Yana M, Güçlü MB. Physical activity levels respiratory and peripheral muscle strength and pulmonary function in young post-COVID-19 patients : A cross-sectional study. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2023 May;135(9-10):251-259. doi: 10.1007/s00508-023-02204-5. Epub 2023 Apr 28. PMID: 37115337; PMCID: PMC10141881. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10141881/ (Full text)

Clinical and radiological outcomes of longCOVID: Is the post-COVID fibrosis common?

Abstract:

Introduction: COVID-19 survivors may take longer to regain full well-being. This study aimed to investigate clinical and functional evaluation and radiologic changes in the third month after COVID-19.

Materials and methods: A total of 126 patients were assessed in the third month for symptoms, pulmonary function, exercise capacity, radiologic imaging, and quality of life after being discharged following COVID-19 treatment. Two radiologists evaluated the initial and follow-up images.

Result: At the third month follow-up visit, the most common persisting symptoms were shortness of breath (32.5%), cough (12.7%), and muscle pain (12.7%). At the follow-up visit, oxygen saturations at rest and after a six min walking test were lower in patients with prior intensive care hospitalization compared to those without (p<0.001, p= 0.004). Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed persisting pulmonary pathologies in 64.6% of patients at the third month follow-up. The most common pathologies on follow-up thoracic CT were fibrotic-like changes in 44.2% and ground-glass opacities (GGO) in 33.3%. Regression analysis unveiled that age [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.15; p= 0.020], male sex (95% CI, 4.06 to 95.3, p<0.001), first CT severity score (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.41, p= 0.028), duration of hospitalization (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.18, p= 0.012), oxygen saturation (95% CI, 0.86 to 0.96, p<0.001) were independent predictors of fibrotic-like changes.

Conclusions: In the third month following COVID-19, the most common symptom was dyspnea, and the most common radiological findings were fibrotic-like changes and GGO. Longer follow-up studies of COVID-19 survivors are needed to observe lasting changes.

Source: Sarıoğlu N, Aksu GD, Çoban H, Bülbül E, Demirpolat G, Arslan AT, Erel F. Clinical and radiological outcomes of longCOVID: Is the post-COVID fibrosis common? Tuberk Toraks. 2023 Mar;71(1):48-57. English. doi: 10.5578/tt.20239907. PMID: 36912409. http://tuberktoraks.org/managete/fu_folder/2023-01/2023-71-1-48-57.pdf (Full text)

Left atrial longitudinal strain analysis in long Covid-19 syndrome

Abstract:

It is known that during the active course of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), myocardial injury has an established pathological base, while its myocardial injury post-recovery is still obscured.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal left atrial strain (LAS) using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in COVID-19-recovered patients who are previously healthy without confounder comorbidities to detect the potential cardiac dysfunction. 200 patients were prospectively included and examined 4?12 weeks after recovery from COVID-19 infection. 137 participants with comorbidities or previous history of cardiopulmonary disease were excluded from the analysis. A total of 63 patients who fulfilled our inclusion criteria were recruited into two groups according to the presence or absence of persistent dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. Clinical, laboratory & comprehensive echocardiographic examinations were done for all.

We observed that 31.7% of the previously healthy individuals developed dyspnoea & exercise intolerance post-COVID-19 infection. There were significantly impaired LAS parameters in the symptomatic group (LA reservoir, contraction & conduit strain, 22.7%, -6.6% & -16.1% versus 40%, -12%, and ? 27% in the asymptomatic group with P < 0.000).

Only LA reservoir strain and LA stiffness can independently predict the development of dyspnoea & exercise intolerance post-COVID-19 at cut-off values of 30% & 24.5% respectively with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 91%, P < 0.001. These impaired LAS parameters could explain the developed symptoms post-COVID-19 recovery, even before disturbed conventional diastolic echocardiographic parameters. LAS parameters are significantly associated with the developed exertional dyspnoea & exercise intolerance post-COVID-19. LA reservoir strain & LA stiffness could provide a simple, easily available tool that points to early LV diastolic dysfunction and may direct the therapy in this subset of the population.

Source: ZeinElabdeen SG, Sherif A, Kandil NT, Altabib AMO, Abdelrashid MA. Left atrial longitudinal strain analysis in long Covid-19 syndrome. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2023 Feb 14:1–6. doi: 10.1007/s10554-023-02801-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36786877; PMCID: PMC9927057. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9927057/ (Full text)

Long COVID-19 Syndrome Severity According to Sex, Time from the Onset of the Disease, and Exercise Capacity-The Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract:

Symptoms of long COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID-19) are reported by 80% of convalescents up to several months after contracting the coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19). The study aimed to assess the frequency and correlations of long COVID symptoms with sex, disease severity, time since the onset of the disease, and exercise capacity in a population of Polish convalescents hospitalized as a part of a rehabilitation program after COVID-19.

The retrospective analysis was carried out based on medical records concerning reported symptoms, comorbidities, exercise capacity, fatigue and dyspnea on Borg’s scale, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), spirometric parameters, chest X-rays/computed tomography scans, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and left ventricular ejection fraction. The study involved 471 patients aged 63.83 ± 9.93 years who had been hospitalized 191.32 ± 75.69 days from the onset of COVID-19, of which 269 (57.1%) were women. The most common symptoms were fatigue (99.57%), dyspnea (99.36%), and myalgia (97.03%). Women reported more symptoms than men (p < 0.001) and rated their fatigue as more severe (p = 0.021). Patients with depressed moods reported more physical symptoms than others (p < 0.001).

Most long COVID symptoms, including dyspnea, fatigue, and depressive symptoms, were found with the same frequency in patients 12-24 weeks and >24 weeks after recovery (p = 0.874, p = 0.400, and p = 0.320, respectively), regardless of acute COVID-19 severity (p = 0.240, p = 0.826, and p = 0.108, respectively). Dyspnea severity correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = -0.153, p = 0.005), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (r = -0.142, p = 0.008). Fatigue severity correlated with impaired FVC and FEV1 (both r = -0.162, p = 0.003). Fatigue and dyspnea inversely correlated with the distance in a six-minute walk test (r = -0.497, p < 0.001, and r = -0.327, p < 0.001).

In conclusion, in our cohort, long COVID symptoms are more common in women. Dyspnea/fatigue and depressive symptoms do not tend to subside after an average six-month recovery period. The intensity of perceived fatigue may be exaggerated by the coexistence of neuropsychiatric disorders. Increased fatigue and dyspnea correlate with impaired spirometric parameters and significantly affects convalescents’ exercise capacity.

Source: Paradowska-Nowakowska E, Łoboda D, Gołba KS, Sarecka-Hujar B. Long COVID-19 Syndrome Severity According to Sex, Time from the Onset of the Disease, and Exercise Capacity-The Results of a Cross-Sectional Study. Life (Basel). 2023 Feb 11;13(2):508. doi: 10.3390/life13020508. PMID: 36836865; PMCID: PMC9961608. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9961608/ (Full text)

Frailty assessment for COVID-19 follow-up: a prospective cohort study

Abstract:

Background: The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is increasingly used for clinical decision making in acute care but little is known about frailty after COVID-19.

Objectives: To investigate frailty and the CFS for post-COVID-19 follow-up.

Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included COVID-19 survivors aged ≥50 years presenting for a follow-up visit ≥3 months after the acute illness. Nine centres retrospectively collected pre-COVID-19 CFS and prospectively CFS at follow-up. Three centres completed the Frailty Index (FI), the short physical performance battery (SPPB), 30 s sit-to-stand test and handgrip strength measurements. Mixed effect logistic regression models accounting for repeated measurements and potential confounders were used to investigate factors associated with post-COVID-19 CFS. Criterion and construct validity were determined by correlating the CFS to other concurrently assessed frailty measurements and measures of respiratory impairment, respectively.

Results: Of the 288 participants 65% were men, mean (SD) age was 65.1 (9) years. Median (IQR) CFS at follow-up was 3 (2-3), 21% were vulnerable or frail (CFS ≥4). The CFS was responsive to change, correlated with the FI (r=0.69, p<0.001), the SPPB score (r=-0.48, p<0.001) (criterion validity) and with the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire score (r=0.59, p<0.001), forced vital capacity %-predicted (r=-0.25, p<0.001), 6 min walk distance (r=-0.39, p<0.001) and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) (r=0.59, p<0.001). Dyspnoea was significantly associated with a higher odds for vulnerability/frailty (per one mMRC adjusted OR 2.01 (95% CI 1.13 to 3.58), p=0.02).

Conclusions: The CFS significantly increases with COVID-19, and dyspnoea is an important risk factor for post-COVID-19 frailty and should be addressed thoroughly.

Source: Müller I, Mancinetti M, Renner A, Bridevaux PO, Brutsche MH, Clarenbach C, Garzoni C, Lenoir A, Naccini B, Ott S, Piquilloud L, Prella M, Que YA, Soccal PM, von Garnier C, Geiser TK, Funke-Chambour M, Guler S. Frailty assessment for COVID-19 follow-up: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open Respir Res. 2022 Apr;9(1):e001227. doi: 10.1136/bmjresp-2022-001227. PMID: 35459694. https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/9/1/e001227.long (Full text)