COVEVOL: Natural Evolution at 6 Months of COVID-19

Abstract

Many studies have investigated post-COVID symptoms, but the predictors of symptom persistence remain unknown. The objective was to describe the natural course of the disease at 6 months and to identify possible factors favoring the resurgence or persistence of these symptoms. COVEVOL is a retrospective observational descriptive study of 74 patients. All patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR from March 2020 were included. We compared a group with symptom persistence (PS group) with another group without symptom persistence (no-PS group). Fifty-three out of seventy-four patients (71.62%) described at least one persistent symptom at 6 months of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the PS group, 56.6% were women and the average age was 54.7 years old [21-89.2] ±16.9. The main symptoms were asthenia (56.6%, n = 30), dyspnea (34%, n = 18), anxiety (32.1% n = 17), anosmia (24.5%, n = 13) and agueusia (15.1% n = 8). Ten patients (13.51%) presented a resurgence in symptoms. Patients in the PS group were older (p = 0.0048), had a higher BMI (p = 0.0071), and were more frequently hospitalized (p = 0.0359) compared to the no-PS group. Odynophagia and nasal obstruction were less present in the inaugural symptoms of COVID-19 in the PS group (p = 0.0202 and p = 0.0332). Persistent post-COVID syndromes are common and identification of contributing factors is necessary for understanding this phenomenon and appropriate management.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of long COVID: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The frequency of loss of appetite as a part of long GI COVID was 0.09 (95% CI, 0.03–0.23, I 2 = 99%) in patients with COVID-19 infection while it was 0.20 (95% CI, 0.08–0.43, I 2 = 98%) in patients having long COVID. 15 , 16 , 22 , 29 , 33 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 54 , 57 , 61 , 62 The frequency of loss of taste as a part of long GI COVID was 0.10 (95% CI, 0.05–0.19, I 2 = 97%) in patients with COVID-19 infection while it was 0.17 (95% CI, 0.10–0.27, I 2 = 95%) in patients having long COVID 37 – 40 , 44 , 47 , 50 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 61 ( Figure 3 ). The frequency of diarrhea as a part of long GI COVID was 0.05 (95% CI, 0.03–0.10, I 2 = 99%) in patients with COVID-19 infection while it was 0.10 (95% CI, 0.04–0.23, I 2 = 98%) in patients having long COVID 13 – 19 , 24 , 25 , 28 , 34 , 36 – 38 , 40 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 46 ...…”

“…Table 1 shows the details of the included studies with the study design, type of population, symptoms, duration, and the information provided. 13 – 62 Supplemental Table 2 shows the excluded studies with reasons of exclusion.…”

Descriptive and Narrative Study of Long Covid Cases in General Practice and Diagnostic Value of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT scan)

“…The symptoms presented by all patients evoke the same clinical picture made by many authors. 7, 25 The patients were not aware that their condition was related to Covid. The triad of fatigue, exertional exhaustion and memory impairment seems to be recurrent.…”

“…24 However, this procedure is not easily accessible and is also expensive. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT scan), on the other hand, are more accessible and may reveal a metabolic brain disorder similar to that found in Alzheimer’s disease or stroke 25…”

“…Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT scan), on the other hand, are more accessible and may reveal a metabolic brain disorder similar to that found in Alzheimer's disease or stroke. 25 To date, we haven't reached a full understanding of what Long Covid really is, nor its natural history. 26 There is no evidence of its prevalence or pathology and there is no specific treatment.…”