Sequelae of Covid: Study found over 200 symptoms in patients with the disease | They affect ten organ systems

As the vaccination campaign around the world progresses, different researchers continue to assess the evolution of the coronavirus and its consequences. A study of The Lancet published this Thursday warned of what’s known as post-covid syndrome, after detecting 203 symptoms that affect ten organ systems and last for up to seven months after discharge.

Specialists University College London studied 3,762 people in 56 countries, after observing that patients who had suffered from covid-19 disease had signs and symptoms of what they later called prolonged covid, long covid post covid syndrome. The study, published in the Lancet journal EClinicalMedicine, identified 203 symptoms, of which 66 were followed over seven months.

The onset of these manifestations is related to affections in organs beyond the respiratory system which are typical of the systemic inflammatory picture that SARS-CoV-2 causes in the body.

Symptoms varied in their prevalence over time and three groups were identified, each with a characteristic temporal profile. The most common persistent symptoms they found were the tired, the post-exercise discomfort (worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion) and Cognitive dysfunction, often called brain fog.

They also detected others such as visual hallucinations, itchy skin, changes in the menstrual cycle, sexual dysfunction, bladder control problems, diarrhea, heart palpitations and tinnitus.

Among the most relevant findings, they reported that 91.8 percent of those surveyed continued to experience symptoms after seven months and 96 percent after three months. For those who were still ill after three months, the symptom count peaked at 17 in the second month.

People who have been symptomatic for more than six months experienced an average of 14 symptoms after the seventh month. And, on average, patients suffered from 56 different symptoms in nine organ systems. The vast majority (89.1%) experienced relapses of their illness, usually caused by physical or mental activity or stress.

“There are probably tens of thousands of longtime covid patients who are suffering in silence, without being sure that their symptoms are related to covid-19, “he said. Athena Akrami, neuroscientist at University College London and lead author of the study.

And he added: “After six months, most of the remaining symptoms are systemic, such as temperature regulation, fatigue, post-exercise and neurological discomfort, affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves. “

Following the results, the researchers asked a national screening program in the UK for extended covid and expansion of diagnostic testing beyond cardiovascular and respiratory testing.

“In this study, we quantify the duration of the disease, as well as the prevalence of symptoms, the time course of the probability, the severity, the number, the time of onset and the temporal clustering. We also measure fatigue using the Fatigue Rating Scale. And the return to baseline and employment status, ”said the authors.

The 203 symptoms studied were obtained from a combination of previous research, existing case reports, a review of the literature, and content shared by patients in support groups and on social media.

The study was open to anyone over the age of 18 with suspected long-term covid, and the survey was created by a team of covid-19 patients who are members of Body Politic’s online covid-19 support group. .

Additionally, the researchers noted that “patients with prolonged COVID reported prolonged involvement of multiple systems and significant disability,” and noted that by seven months many patients had not yet recovered (mostly systemic and neurological / cognitive symptoms), they had not returned to previous working levels and continued to experience a significant symptom burden. “

About 22% of people who took part in the survey said they were unable to work due to their illness. And 45 percent required reduced working hours.