"HSE [Irish health service] publishes findings of survey examining the long-term impact of acute COVID 19 disease"

https://about.hse.ie/news/hse-publi...e-long-term-impact-of-acute-covid-19-disease/

Press release
HSE publishes findings of survey examining the long-term impact of acute COVID 19 disease

Published: 13 December 2024

The HSE today published a report of the findings of a survey examining the long-term impact of acute COVID-19 disease. The HSE carried out the FADA (Follow-up After Disease Acquisition) survey to better understand the landscape of Long COVID in Ireland and inform continuing development of the HSE’s Long COVID interim model of care. The study also sought to characterise Long COVID, describe symptom type, severity and impact, and assess health service use and need in an Irish community-based sample.

Over 49,000 people with a previously confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 between March 1 2020 and January 31 2022 and who lived in the Dublin and Midlands region were invited to complete the FADA survey during summer 2023. This was when the virus that caused COVID-19 was widely circulating in the community and there was widespread access to COVID-19 testing.

4,671 people responded to the survey giving a response rate of 9.6%. Those surveyed were asked to self-report if they ever had Long COVID and to describe their experiences. Of those that responded, 2,338 reported ever having Long COVID symptoms. Of these, 424 reported that they were clinically diagnosed by a doctor.

Due to an unequal response to the survey by age, gender, and self-reported Long COVID status, a statistical adjustment was necessary and estimated that 16% of the population sampled ever experienced symptoms of Long COVID. This reduced with later variants.

Commenting Dr Úna Fallon, Consultant Public Health Medicine said, “The detailed information provided by the 2,338 people surveyed who reported ever having Long COVID symptoms contributes significantly to our understanding of prolonged recovery from acute COVID-19 disease. Understanding the nature and impact of long COVID is essential as it helps us shape healthcare policies and improve patient outcomes. The FADA survey, as the largest population-based study of COVID-19 recovery in Ireland to date, provides unique and valuable insights into the lived experience, health status, and healthcare needs of those impacted by Long COVID”.

Long COVID was reported across all age groups, genders, occupations, and prior health statuses. Self-reported long COVID was more common among females, those in their 40s, those who were more physically active, healthcare workers and those with multiple baseline chronic illnesses. Among those still ill with Long COVID symptoms, the five most commonly-reported symptoms were fatigue, cognitive issues (problems affecting thinking, learning, memory, planning, concentration, and decision-making), joint or muscle pain, sleep disturbances and breathlessness.”

Dr Paul Kavanagh, Health Intelligence Unit, HSE added, “We are grateful to everyone who took time to take part in this survey and their contribution has provided an important insight into Long COVID in Ireland. It shows how complex Long COVID is, with many different symptoms. It greatly affects health and daily life. Our findings also highlight the healthcare needs of those affected. While many of the findings echo emerging international research on Long COVID, this is the single largest study of Long COVID in Ireland to date and will inform the continuing development and improvement of Long COVID services.”

Dr. Siobhán Ní Bhriain, HSE National Clinical Director Integrated Care said, “In September 2021, the HSE launched its Interim Model of Care (MoC) for Long COVID to provide follow-up care and support for patients experiencing persistent symptoms of COVID-19. This provides a framework for how services for people living with Long COVID should be delivered and includes GP services, community-based rehabilitation services, and specialist consultant-led clinics. We know that many people experiencing Long COVID are managed by GPs through general assessment, advice, education and self-management supports. For some people however, further assessment and additional supports are required. Several specialised clinics have been developed including post-acute clinics for patients in the more immediate aftermath of Covid-19 and specialised Long COVID clinics, for those with longer term symptoms. In December 2022 HIQA published an international review of clinical guidelines and the Model of Care for long COVID and found that the approaches and recommendations in the Irish interim model of care were broadly consistent with those found in the international literature.

“The HSE now intends to review its Interim Model of Care for Long COVID and is currently finalising the terms of reference for a multi-disciplinary group to undertake this work. Clinicians, GPs and other healthcare professionals, together with patient advocates for those with Long COVID will have an important role to play in this review and will form part of the group undertaking this work. It is hoped this work will begin early next year.”

Information:
Examining the long-term impact of acute COVID-19 disease (PDF, 4.6 MB, 128 pages)
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/pub...ong-term-impact-of-acute-covid-19-disease.pdf

 

No mention of "chronic fatigue" or CFS in the long 128-page report even though the symptom complex looks very similar.

 

https://longcovidadvocacyireland.com/2024/12/12/fada-study-press-release/

FADA Study Press Release

ON DECEMBER 12, 2024 BY ADMINLCAI
New HSE study finds 16% of people in Ireland have experienced Long COVID

December 2024 Long Covid Advocacy Ireland (LCAI), an advocacy group for Long Covid patients in Ireland, welcomes the publication of the Follow-up After Disease Acquisition (FADA) study conducted by the HSE.

Prevalence of Long COVID in the Irish population
The HSE’s landmark FADA study, due to be published on the 12th December, has found that 16% of the Irish population has experienced Long COVID symptoms. The study surveyed adults who had tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR test to assess their health following their infection.

The report acknowledges challenges Long COVID patients face accessing healthcare support and the resulting isolation patients experience due to a lack of understanding from healthcare professionals and the general public.

Recommendation to take steps to control SARS-CoV-2 transmission
LCAI also welcomes the report’s recommendation to control COVID transmission through both individual and Government actions, including clean indoor air in public spaces, masking, and testing, in addition to more accessible vaccination programmes.

The results of the FADA study show that repeat infections increase the risk of developing Long COVID. It is essential for the HSE to begin a wide-reaching, public health messaging campaign to educate the public on the continued risk of Long COVID and how to reduce risk by reducing COVID transmission.

“We cannot talk about COVID in the past tense. It’s still with us, it still causes acute disease and Long COVID, and it still kills… The world might want to forget about COVID-19, but we cannot afford to.” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General (10 December 2024)

“A number of viruses, including COVID, RSV, and Influenza are airborne and spread via aerosols, floating in the air like invisible smoke. Simple solutions such as clean indoor air have potential to seriously improve population health and reduce the strain on our health system.” Sinead O’Brien, Clean Air Advocacy Ireland

Call for a review of the HSE interim model of care for Long Covid
LCAI welcomes the study’s recommendation for a comprehensive review of the 2021 Interim Model of Care for Long COVID – one that incorporates the views, experience, and expertise of Long COVID patients. A wealth of research on Long Covid has been published globally since

2021, and this updated knowledge must be reflected in the Model of Care. The 2021 Model of Care has yet to be reviewed, despite frequent calls from patient groups to do so and a recommendation by HIQA.

At the Oireachtas Health Committee on Long COVID in April 2024, the HSE advised that they were awaiting publication of the FADA study results before reviewing the Interim Model of Care. With the release of the study, LCAI expects that the HSE will proceed with the review without further delay and with the utmost urgency.

The current Model of Care is inadequate. With only six public clinics across the country, three of which are located in Dublin, access is a postcode lottery. The current Model of Care does not currently accept patients under 16. Many patients have also reported negative experiences while accessing the clinics and there are significant inconsistencies in services across the clinics.

“Long COVID is a public health crisis. Hundreds of thousands of people in Ireland have been disabled by this virus, impacting their ability to work, study, socialise, and care for themselves or their families. The lack of an up-to-date Model of Care for Long COVID has caused further distress to patients. This virus continues to cause significant, unnecessary pressure on our already troubled healthcare system, and the time for action is now.” Julia Corey, Long COVID Advocacy Ireland

End

For queries please contact us at longcovidadvocacyireland@gmail.com

 

Long covid sufferers turn to support group for helps

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41536214.html

 

Irish Medical Times:
https://www.imt.ie/news/impact-of-long-covid-revealed-in-new-survey-13-12-2024/

 

One in six people in Ireland have experienced long-Covid symptoms, survey finds

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news...g-covid-symptoms-survey-finds/a185077947.html

 

This whole paragraph is such a delusional, or deceitful, or both, load of bullshit:

"Imagine a world in which we are doing our job"-based medicine.

 

Women and an unusually healthy cohort at greater risk of long-Covid, HSE study suggests

Long-Covid is more common in Ireland among women and people who reported doing regular exercise before their illness, according to a new report.

The survey has revealed insights into those who appear to be more prone to developing long-Covid, which can leave people suffering a range of debilitating symptoms for weeks, months or even years after the infection.

The profile of those who appear to be more susceptible also includes people in their early 40s, according to the HSE report. Other common risk factors involve people who worked in a healthcare facility and who already had a chronic illness.

Continues at:
https://m.independent.ie/irish-news...ong-covid-hse-study-suggests/a1050583513.html