Long-COVID - Seizing Digital Opportunities
In a nutshell:
In a new study from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (CDC), researcher examined long-term health problems that follow Covid-19 infections. The terms "Long-COVID" or "post-COVID" describe a set of symptoms that may appear weeks or months after a coronavirus infection. The study analyzed the electronic medical records of nearly two million people.
Long-COVID can affect many various organ systems, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Other conditions affect the musculoskeletal system. Hormonal and metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal complaints, neurological problems and psychiatric symptoms may occur, and were evaluated in the CDC study. Thus, a total of 26 different clinical conditions previously associated with Long-COVID were studied.
The most common complaints after a previous coronavirus infection were respiratory problems and musculoskeletal pain, independent of the age of the patients. On average, the risk of developing pulmonary embolism or a chronic respiratory disorder after COVID-19, was twice that of uninfected individuals. One in five COVID-19 patients aged 18 to 64 years experienced at least one of the symptoms studied. This proportion increased to 25% in people 65 years and older.
Long-COVID disorders convey a highly complex and diverse presentation
The study results demonstrate that substantial numbers of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular impairment and metabolic disorders, like diabetes, may be in store as pandemic late effects. Reduced earning capacity and the burden on health services in communities with large numbers of COVID-19 infections could become an immense liability for society. No statements however were given about the vaccination status of the patients studied, nor did the study include information on race, ethnicity, gender, or geographic location. In addition, data on the respective coronavirus variants that were associated with each case, were not specified.
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COVID-19 primary prevention strategies certainly remain critical to reducing the incidence and impact of Long-COVID. With each acute infection being avoided, the incidence of secondary complications and chronic conditions are effectively reduced. Screening people after COVID-19 infection for corona sequelae, including diabetes, should as well become expedient medical routine.
At this point, we understand that COVID-19 can lead to serious long-term consequences. We are also aware that the elderly and severely ill are likely to be at greatest risk. What we may need are tools to understand and thus reduce the risk of any Long-COVID manifestions, including new questions asked, broad arrays of parameters compared, and well-designed digital analysis of health data.
What are the respective roles of different corona variants? What is the impact of vaccination and of multiple corona infections? Do other viral diseases, such as influenza, may play an additional role?
Ingenium Labs is addressing these questions. Our intelligent medical algorithms are designed to assist in the management of the Corona pandemic. As a registered customer and with your data donation, you can be part of ensuring that solutions will be based on comprehensive, well-founded and in-depth analysis.
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