Search citation statements
Paper Sections
Citation Types
Year Published
Publication Types
Relationship
Authors
Journals
Background Identifying symptom clusters in Long COVID is necessary for developing effective therapies for this diverse condition and improving the quality of life of those affected by this heterogeneous condition. In this study, we aimed to identify and compare symptom clusters at 9 and 12 months after a SARS-CoV-2 positive test and describe each cluster regarding factors at infection. Methods This is a cross-sectional study with individuals randomly selected from the Portuguese National System of Epidemiological Surveillance (SINAVE) database. Individuals who had a positive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test in August 2022 were contacted to participate in a telephonic interview approximately 9 and 12 months after the test. A hierarchical clustering analysis was performed, using Euclidean distance and Ward’s linkage. Clustering was performed in the 35 symptoms reported 9 and 12 months after the SARS-CoV-2 positive test and characterised considering age, sex, pre-existing health conditions and symptoms at time of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results 552 individuals were included at 9 months and 458 at 12 months. The median age was 52 years (IQR: 40–64 years) and 59% were female. Hypertension and high cholesterol were the most frequently reported pre-existing health conditions. Memory loss, fatigue or weakness and joint pain were the most frequent symptoms reported 9 and 12 months after the positive test. Four clusters were identified at both times: no or minor symptoms; multi-symptoms; joint pain; and neurocognitive-related symptoms. Clusters remained similar in both times, but, within the neurocognitive cluster, memory loss and concentration issues increased in frequency at 12 months. Multi-symptoms cluster had older people, more females and more pre-existing health conditions at 9 months. However, at 12 months, older people and those with more pre-existing health conditions were in joint pain cluster. Conclusions Our results suggest that Long COVID is not the same for everyone. In our study, clusters remained similar at 9 and 12 months, except for a slight variation in the frequency of symptoms that composed each cluster. Understanding Long COVID clusters might help identify treatments for this condition. However, further validation of the observed clusters and analysis of its risk factors is needed.
Background Identifying symptom clusters in Long COVID is necessary for developing effective therapies for this diverse condition and improving the quality of life of those affected by this heterogeneous condition. In this study, we aimed to identify and compare symptom clusters at 9 and 12 months after a SARS-CoV-2 positive test and describe each cluster regarding factors at infection. Methods This is a cross-sectional study with individuals randomly selected from the Portuguese National System of Epidemiological Surveillance (SINAVE) database. Individuals who had a positive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test in August 2022 were contacted to participate in a telephonic interview approximately 9 and 12 months after the test. A hierarchical clustering analysis was performed, using Euclidean distance and Ward’s linkage. Clustering was performed in the 35 symptoms reported 9 and 12 months after the SARS-CoV-2 positive test and characterised considering age, sex, pre-existing health conditions and symptoms at time of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results 552 individuals were included at 9 months and 458 at 12 months. The median age was 52 years (IQR: 40–64 years) and 59% were female. Hypertension and high cholesterol were the most frequently reported pre-existing health conditions. Memory loss, fatigue or weakness and joint pain were the most frequent symptoms reported 9 and 12 months after the positive test. Four clusters were identified at both times: no or minor symptoms; multi-symptoms; joint pain; and neurocognitive-related symptoms. Clusters remained similar in both times, but, within the neurocognitive cluster, memory loss and concentration issues increased in frequency at 12 months. Multi-symptoms cluster had older people, more females and more pre-existing health conditions at 9 months. However, at 12 months, older people and those with more pre-existing health conditions were in joint pain cluster. Conclusions Our results suggest that Long COVID is not the same for everyone. In our study, clusters remained similar at 9 and 12 months, except for a slight variation in the frequency of symptoms that composed each cluster. Understanding Long COVID clusters might help identify treatments for this condition. However, further validation of the observed clusters and analysis of its risk factors is needed.
новая коронавирусная инфекция (COVID-19) сопровождается повышением уровня интерлейкина-10, угнетением функции лимфоцитов и снижением их числа. Усиленная продукция интерлейкина-10, вероятно, отражает вызванную вирусом иммуносупрессию и патогенетически связана с лимфоцитарной недостаточностью, хотя существуют предположения о реактивном характере гиперпродукции цитокина (в ответ провоспалительную реакцию), а также обсуждаются провоспалительные свойства самого интерлейкина-10. Так или иначе, повышенный уровень данного цитокина, особенно персистирующий долгое время, и повышение соотношения интрелейкина-10 к количеству лимфоцитов крови рассматриваются как прогностически неблагоприятные маркеры. Требуется изучение методов воздействия на иммунную дисфункцию при новой коронавирусной инфекции. В предшествующих работах показано, что транскраниальная электростимуляция оказывает воздействие на нейроиммуноэндокринную регуляцию при различных воспалительных и невоспалительных заболеваниях. Однако, метод не изучался при обсуждаемой инфекции. Целью данной работы являлось изучение воздействия транскраниальной электростимуляции на концентрацию интерлейкина-10 и соотношение интерлейкина-10 к количеству лимфоцитов у больных COVID-19 со среднетяжелым или легким течением. В работу были включены 34 пациента, 19 из которых получали стандартное лечение (группа сравнения), а 15 пациентов получали аналогичное лечение в комбинации с транскраниальной электростимуляцией (10 сеансов по 1 сеансу в день). Два обсуждаемых показателя оценивались в день поступления и к концу первой недели. В обеих группах оба показателя выраженно снизились к моменту второго измерения. Однако, в группе транскраниальной электростимуляции, по сравнению с другой группой, имела место тенденция к более выраженному снижению интерлейкина-10 (на 21,4%, p=0,08) и соотношения интерлейкина-10 к количеству лимфоцитов (на 41,5%, p=0,1). Таким образом, данный лечебный метод может оказывать влияние на механизмы иммуносупрессии при COVID-19, подтверждение чего требует дополнительного изучения. COVID-19 is accompanied by elevated interleukin-10, inhibited lymphocyte function and low lymphocyte count. The increased production of interleukin-10 probably reflects the virus-induced immunosuppression and is pathogenetically related to lymphocyte dysfunction, although there are suggestions that the hyperproduction of the cytokine is reactive (i.e. response to proinflammatory stimuli); also pro-inflammatory functions of the interleukin are discussed. Either way, elevated levels of this cytokine, especially long-term persistence, and an increased interleukin-10/lymphocytes ratio are considered as negative prognostic markers. Methods of targeting immune dysfunction in COVID-19 should be explored. In early studies, transcranial electrical stimulation influenced neuroimmunoendocrine regulation in various inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases. However, the method has not been studied in COVID-19. The aim of this work was to study the effect of transcranial electrical stimulation on the concentration of interleukin-10 and the interleukin-10/lymphocytes ratio in COVID-19 patients with moderate to mild course. Thirty-four patients were included, 19 of which received standard treatment (control group), and 15 patients received similar treatment in combination with transcranial electrical stimulation (10 procedures, 1 procedure per day). Markers were assessed on the day of admission and at the end of the first week. In both groups, both markers had significantly decreased by the time of the second measurement. However, there was a trend towards a more pronounced decrease in interleukin-10 (by 21,4%, p=0,08) and interleukin-10/lymphocyte ratio (by 41,5%, p=0,1) in transcranial electrical stimulation group compared to the other group. Thus, this method may have an impact on the mechanisms of immunosuppression in COVID-19, confirmation of which requires further study.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.