The other COVID-19 survivors: Timing, duration, and health impact of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection 2022 Lambert et al

Abstract

Aims and Objectives
To determine the frequency, timing, and duration of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) and their impact on health and function.

Background
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection is an emerging major public health problem that is poorly understood and has no current treatment or cure. PASC is a new syndrome that has yet to be fully clinically characterised.

Design
Descriptive cross-sectional survey (n = 5163) was conducted from online COVID-19 survivor support groups who reported symptoms for more than 21 days following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods
Participants reported background demographics and the date and method of their covid diagnosis, as well as all symptoms experienced since onset of covid in terms of the symptom start date, duration, and Likert scales measuring three symptom-specific health impacts: pain and discomfort, work impairment, and social impairment. Descriptive statistics and measures of central tendencies were computed for participant demographics and symptom data.

Results
Participants reported experiencing a mean of 21 symptoms (range 1–93); fatigue (79.0%), headache (55.3%), shortness of breath (55.3%) and difficulty concentrating (53.6%) were the most common. Symptoms often remitted and relapsed for extended periods of time (duration M = 112 days), longest lasting symptoms included the inability to exercise (M = 106.5 days), fatigue (M = 101.7 days) and difficulty concentrating, associated with memory impairment (M = 101.1 days). Participants reported extreme pressure at the base of the head, syncope, sharp or sudden chest pain, and “brain pressure” among the most distressing and impacting daily life.

Conclusions
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection can be characterised by a wide range of symptoms, many of which cause moderate-to-severe distress and can hinder survivors' overall well-being.

Relevance to Clinical Practice
This study advances our understanding of the symptoms of PASC and their health impacts.


What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?

• This study advances clinical understanding of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) symptoms and their impact on human life.
• This study enables nurses to better assist patients in recovery by identifying the range of PASC symptoms nurses can address through symptom management education and therapeutic communication.
• This study identifies the most distressing PASC symptoms, helping clinicians to prioritise symptoms to be targeted immediately to improve quality of life for PASC patients.

Open access, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.16541

 

Manages not to mention ME even once.

It does end with
"This study advances clinical understanding of PASC symptoms and their impact on human life. Because nurses are experts in symptom management and there is no cure or treatment for PASC, nurse clinicians and researchers play a critical role in helping patients to recover through symptom management and therapeutic communication. Nurses are able to assist patients in managing symptoms using established strategies; nurse scientist can help patients more quickly move towards recovery by leveraging our self-management intervention evidence base and retooling or repurposing our already packaged symptom management interventions for PASC patients (Pinto et al., 2021).

Additionally, nurses may assist patients in recovery by helping them manage illness-related health impacts through education and therapeutic communication, including validation of the patient's PASC symptom experience (Pinto et al., 2021). This is of particular importance for patients with this new disease; knowledge is limited and patients have experienced medical gaslighting and trauma when they have sought care for PASC (Pinto et al., 2021). Validating these unpleasant and often traumatising experiences with providers can help restore patient trust and prevent re-traumatization, ultimately increasing better outcomes for PASC patients and increasing the potential for their reengagement with the larger healthcare system (Pinto et al., 2021).

In summary, the most distressing symptoms could be addressed by nursing practice and science, and thereby can be targeted immediately for treatment to improve functioning, chance of recovery and quality of life for PASC patients."

 

Noted "'brain pressure'", as one of the symptoms in this article on LC.

Some pwME also have this symptom.


ETA: deletion

 

The online support group in question is Survivor Corps, which is led by Diana Berrent who has very much shown to be opposed to linking long Covid to ME/CFS.

This also explains the absence of the term post-exertional malaise or post-exacerbational symptom exacerbation.