Post-viral fatigue and COVID-19: lessons from past epidemics

Islam, Mohammed; Cotler, Joseph; Jason, Leonard A.

doi:10.1080/21641846.2020.1778227

Cited by 200 publications

(205 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…In addition, fatigue is emerging as a particular problem, both for those who have milder forms of the disease and those who have had disease warranting intensive care treatment [91,92,93]. Although too soon to be formally diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome there are growing reports of symptoms similar to Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) as part of a post-viral response, with a similar picture to those seen in previous epidemics [94,95]. Debilitating levels of fatigue, which has a substantial impact on quality of life, is also found as part of the post-intensive care syndrome [96], and with the number of men who have had survived severe disease the numbers affected could be predicted to be substantial.…”

Section: Longer Term Health Implications For Menmentioning

confidence: 99%

Men and COVID-19: the aftermath

White

2020

Postgraduate Medicine

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The global pandemic as a result of the SARS-CoV2 virus has seen over 16 m people infected and over 650,000 deaths, with men at double the risk of both developing the severe form of the disease and mortality. There are both biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) factors, compounded by socioeconomic factors and ethnicity, that impact on the aftermath of what has occurred over the short time that this novel coronavirus has been circulating the world. The potential lifelong morbidity as a result of the infection and as a consequence of highly invasive critical care treatment needs to be factored into the rehabilitation of survivors. There are also many men whose lives will have been severely affected both physically and emotionally by the pandemic without ever contracting the disease, with the widespread disruption to normal existence and its impact on their social world and the economy. The implications of the closure of many healthcare services over the initial lockdown will also have both a shorter-and longer-term impact on other diseases due to missed early diagnosis and disrupted treatment regimes. Getting effective public health messages out to the population is critical and this current pandemic is demonstrating that there needs to be a more focused view on men's health behavior. Without effective public support for preventative action, the more likely the disease will continue its path unabated. This review explores the wider ramifications of the disease both for those men who have survived the disease and those that have been affected by the wider social effects of the pandemic. The pandemic should be a wake-up call for all involved in the planning and delivery of health and social care for the greater attention to the central role of sex and gender.

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Section: Longer Term Health Implications For Menmentioning

confidence: 99%

Men and COVID-19: the aftermath

White

2020

Postgraduate Medicine

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“…ME/CFS has been linked to many different viruses. Experiences from past epidemics and current observations suggest that a considerable number of patients recovering from COVID-19 may develop ME/CFS-like symptoms [ 49 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evidence base for physiotherapy in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome when considering post-exertional malaise: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

Wormgoor

Rodenburg

2021

J Transl Med

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Background Due to the inconsistent use of diagnostic criteria in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), it is unsure whether physiotherapeutic management regarded effective in ME/CFS is appropriate for patients diagnosed with criteria that consider post-exertional malaise (PEM) as a hallmark feature. Purpose To appraise current evidence of the effects of physiotherapy on symptoms and functioning in ME/CFS patients in view of the significance of PEM in the applied diagnostic criteria for inclusion. Methods A systematic review of randomized controlled trials published over the last two decades was conducted. Studies evaluating physiotherapeutic interventions for adult ME/CFS patients were included. The diagnostic criteria sets were classified into three groups according to the extent to which the importance of PEM was emphasized: chronic fatigue (CF; PEM not mentioned as a criterion), CFS (PEM included as an optional or minor criterion) or ME (PEM is a required symptom). The main results of included studies were synthesized in relation to the classification of the applied diagnostic criteria. In addition, special attention was given to the tolerability of the interventions. Results Eighteen RCTs were included in the systematic review: three RCTs with CF patients, 14 RCTs with CFS patients and one RCT covering ME patients with PEM. Intervention effects, if any, seemed to disappear with more narrow case definitions, increasing objectivity of the outcome measures and longer follow-up. Conclusion Currently, there is no scientific evidence when it comes to effective physiotherapy for ME patients. Applying treatment that seems effective for CF or CFS patients may have adverse consequences for ME patients and should be avoided.

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“…Similarly, post viral fatigue syndromes have been described due to a variety of etiologies 10 . These are often associated with chronicity and development of chronic fatigue syndrome 10 . The result of this twitter analysis suggests that some patients who have recovered from acute COVID-19 seem to have multiple prolonged symptoms (as described above) with varying courses and outcomes.…”

Section: The Initial Search Retrieved 3449 Tweets From 190 Differentmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of Self-reported Longcovid Symptoms on Twitter

Singh

Reddy

2020

Preprint

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Objectives: A majority of patients suffering from acute COVID-19 are expected to recover symptomatically and functionally. However there are reports that some people continue to experience symptoms even beyond the stage of acute infection. This phenomenon has been called longcovid. Study design: This study attempted to analyse symptoms reported by users on twitter self-identifying as longcovid. Methods: The search was carried out using the twitter public streaming application programming interface using a relevant search term. Results: We could identify 89 users with usable data in the tweets posted by them. A majority of users described multiple symptoms the most common of which were fatigue, shortness of breath, pain and brainfog/concentration difficulties. The most common course of symptoms was episodic. Conclusions: Given the public health importance of this issue, the study suggests that there is a need to better study post acute-COVID symptoms.

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Post-viral fatigue and COVID-19: lessons from past epidemics

Cited by 200 publications

References 42 publications

Men and COVID-19: the aftermath

Men and COVID-19: the aftermath

The evidence base for physiotherapy in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome when considering post-exertional malaise: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

An Analysis of Self-reported Longcovid Symptoms on Twitter

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