AI Summary: Long Covid – The Issue with the Definition
Introduction and Problem
In Austria, up to 850,000 people may have been affected by Long Covid. However, the exact cause of the ongoing symptoms remains unclear, and there is still no universally agreed-upon definition of Long Covid worldwide. This lack of clarity complicates both the diagnosis and treatment of affected individuals.
Different Definitions Across Europe
Experts from across Europe criticize the lack of standardized definitions and diagnostic criteria for Long Covid. This variety makes it harder to identify and treat patients effectively. General medicine plays a key role in the care of patients who suffer from various symptoms long after their acute Covid-19 infection. A survey of experts from 34 European countries revealed that the most commonly used definition of Long Covid is from the World Health Organization (WHO), followed by the definition from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the US. About half of the countries use multiple definitions simultaneously.
Differences in Duration and Symptoms
The definitions also differ in terms of the duration of symptoms. The UK's NICE guidelines define Long Covid as symptoms lasting longer than twelve weeks, while the CDC and WHO refer to symptoms persisting for at least four or three months, respectively. All definitions emphasize the exclusion of other causes apart from SARS-CoV-2.
A “Patchwork Quilt” in Europe
Europe shows a "patchwork quilt" of definitions and diagnostic standards. For example, in Austria, the WHO, CDC, and NICE definitions are used, while other countries adopt different combinations of these definitions. This lack of uniformity not only affects diagnosis and treatment but also has an impact on research and resource allocation in health policy.
The Need for Consensus
Experts are calling for an international consensus to establish a universally accepted definition of Long Covid. A standardized definition would simplify diagnosis, improve continuity of care, and ensure equal access to multidisciplinary resources for patients. Currently, the absence of consensus complicates patient care, data collection, and the efficient allocation of resources.
I wonder how they think this will be better? Adaptability is the opposite of standardisation.The findings underscore the need for a unified, yet adaptable, definition of Long COVID.
None of those difficulties are in the problem itself, they are entirely a matter of failing to do the basic parts of the work. It also, somehow, almost never raises, and when it does the implications are never actually thought out, that there is still majority hostility to the very existence of those health problems. There are views opposed to doing anything about it, and they dominate the institutions of medicine.Half of the countries reported using multiple definitions simultaneously, indicating a lack of standardisation. Qualitative analyses highlighted challenges such as difficulties in standardising terminology, variability in clinical criteria, and issues with implementing diagnostic codes.
Actually this has been the #1 ask from the patient community not only from the start, but literally for decades before LC happened. So here experts are not only not doing their job, they are very late to it, and hardly bothering to put any effort.Experts are calling for an international consensus to establish a universally accepted definition of Long Covid
Persistent symptoms following COViD-19 share features with other post-infectious syndromes, such as those following Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, or influenza. this broader context highlights the need for a biopsychosocial approach to LC, recognising that persistent symptoms may arise from overlapping biological, psychological, and social mechanisms [31].
The first several references seem real, so I looked at the last three, after the one you referenced, which also have issues:That paper as referenced appears non-existent.
Wrong DOI, journal, and date. Actually a preprint.32. Rando HM, Bennett TD, Byrd JB, et al. Challenges in defining long COVID: striking differences across literature, electronic health records, and patient-reported information. Lancet. 2024;403(10427):1234–1239. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00623-8.
Title doesn't appear to exist.33. Theoharides TC. Long COVID: a neuroimmune disorder with potential mast cell involvement. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2024;31(1):1–9. doi: 10.1159/000541741.
Title doesn't appear to exist.34. Roveta F, Tzovaras D, Barbone F. Managing post-viral symptoms in primary care: the case for integrated, symptom-based approaches. Lancet Respir Med. 2022;10(11):1045–1053. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00501-X.
this could indicate AI perhaps?There seem to be major issues with the references and many appear fabricated / hallucinated.
I'd be surprised if it was not AI. I can't think of a good reason to just make up the title of a paper, and it's something AI is very much known to do:this could indicate AI perhaps?
5. European Commission, European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), Heide I, Lambert M, Hansen J, et al. Mapping long COVID across the EU: definitions, guidelines and surveillance systems in EU Member States. Final report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union; 2024. Available from: https://health.ec.europa.eu/publica...-and-surveillance-systems-eu-member-states_en
6. Espinosa Gonzalez A, Suzuki E. The impacts of long COVID across OECD countries. Paris: OECD Publishing; 2024. Available from: https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/po...of-long-covid-across-oecd-countries-7a2b8e3d/
7. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Guidance for health system contingency planning during widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2 with high impact on healthcare services. Stockholm: ECDC; 2020. Available from: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publi...ing-during-widespread-transmission-sars-cov-2
28. Nittas V, Puhan M, Gao M, et al. Long COVID: evolving definitions, burden of disease and socio-economic consequences. University of Zurich/Swiss School of Public Health; 2021. Available from: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/hom...national/forschung-wissenschaft.html#99203729