Tag: libido

Correlations of Long COVID Symptoms and Inflammatory Markers of Complete Blood Count (CBC): A cross-sectional study

Abstract:

Background: Long-COVID refers to lasting unspecific symptoms like fatigue, decreased concentration and sleep issues after infection which persist for at least three months and cannot be attributed to other causes. Previous studies surveyed the association between inflammatory markers like C – reactive protein (CRP) at hospital admission and long-COVID symptoms in the preceding months. Post-COVID syndrome can affect one-third of patients. Thus early diagnosis can assist in reducing burdens on public health. We attempted to see any correlations between complete blood count (CBC) markers (like red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), etc.) at hospital admission and long COVID symptoms at a 6-month follow-up.

Methods: 167 patients (44.9% females, mean age 49 years old) answered semi-structural interviews through telemedicine which focused on the three prominent symptoms: fatigue, loss of concentration and decreased libido.

Results: Two third of patients have symptoms of long COVID and others do not have. NLR in the symptomatic group was statically higher. Patients who underwent decreased libido at a 6-month follow-up had significantly more severe lymphopenia (p ¼ 0.028) and higher NLR values (p-value ¼ 0.007). Poor mental concentration is associated with high WBC in numbers and polymorphonuclear (PMN) count. Other symptoms do not correlate with blood markers.

Conclusion: Utilizing available data like CBC can help predict the upcoming symptoms of previously hospitalized patients and further measures like rehabilitation. Additional investigations should be done on the

Source: Radkhah, Hanieh; Omidali, Mehrnia; Hejrati, Alireza; Bahri, Razman Arabzadeh; Arefi, Sara; Behzadi, Amirhossein; Eslami, Mohamad; Khadembashiri, Mohammadmehdi; Khadembashiri, Mohammadamin; Najafirashed, Maryam; and Amiri, Bahareh Shateri (2023) “Correlations of Long COVID Symptoms and Inflammatory Markers of Complete Blood Count (CBC): A cross-sectional study.,” Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives: Vol. 13: Iss. 6, Article 25. DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1259 https://scholarlycommons.gbmc.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1259&context=jchimp (Full text)

Long-COVID in patients with a history of mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection: a Nationwide Cohort Study

Abstract:

Objective: Evaluating the prevalence of long-COVID symptoms in patients with a history of mild or asymptomatic infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the factors associated with developing long-COVID.

Design: A nationwide cohort study. Using a centralized database, we have identified patients with and without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection 1-6 months before data collection. Patients were asked to fill out an online questionnaire through text messages.

Setting: Israeli general practice.

Subjects: 2755 persons participated in the study in September 2021 (a response rate of 7.5%): 819 with and ,936 without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main outcome measures: We asked patients to provide details about their demographic status, medical history, COVID-related variables and the presence of long-COVID symptoms.

Results: Most prevalent long-COVID symptoms were decreased smell sensation (35.1% vs. 4.3%, p < 0.001), decreased taste sensation (25.2% vs. 3.2%, p < 0.001), memory disturbances (36.9% vs. 14.4%, p < 0.001), dyspnea (24.2% vs. 10.7%, p < 0.001) and arthralgia (33% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.001). Risk factors associated with long-COVID included female gender, symptomatic COVID-19, overweight or obesity and the presence of dyslipidemia. About 34.6% of participants reported not returning to their baseline health condition after the acute illness.

Conclusion: Long-COVID is frequently seen following a mild symptomatic COVID-19 infection and, to a lesser extent, following an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Primary care physicians should be aware of these symptoms and consider this option in their differential diagnosis. Health policymakers should expect a significant impact of this syndrome on public health.

Key Points

Long-COVID has emerged as a significant health problem with a serious impact on normal daily function• Long-COVID symptoms were evident in patients with mild symptomatic disease and in asymptomatic patients to a lesser extent.• Risk factors for having Long-COVID symptoms include female gender, symptomatic disease, increased BMI, and the presence of dyslipidemia.• Fatigue, dyspnea, weakness, decreased libido, weight changes, memory, and sleep disturbances were associated with not returning to the baseline health state.

Source: Adler L, Gazit S, Pinto Y, Perez G, Mizrahi Reuveni M, Yehoshua I, Hoffman R, Azuri J, Patalon T. Long-COVID in patients with a history of mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection: a Nationwide Cohort Study. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2022 Oct 31:1-8. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2139480. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36314555. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02813432.2022.2139480 (Full text)