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https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131111
Title: | Long COVID syndrome : a case-control study |
Authors: | Xuereb, Rachel-Anne Borg, Marica Vella, Kevin Gatt, Alex Xuereb, Robert G. Barbara, Christopher Fava, Stephen Magri, Caroline Jane |
Keywords: | Quality of life C-reactive protein Post COVID-19 condition (Disease) Troponin I |
Issue Date: | 2025 |
Publisher: | Elsevier Ltd. |
Citation: | Xuereb, R. A., Borg, M., Vella, K., Gatt, A., Xuereb, R. G., Barbara, C., ... & Magri, C. J. (2025). Long COVID syndrome: a case-control study. The American Journal of Medicine, 138(1), 131-139. |
Abstract: | Background:
Acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes various cardiovascular complications. However, it is unknown if there are cardiovascular sequelae in the medium and long-term. The aim of this study was dual. Firstly, we wanted to investigate symptomatology and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at medium-term follow-up (6 months post-COVID). Secondly, we wanted to assess whether history of COVID-19 and persistent shortness of breath at medium-term follow-up are associated with ongoing inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiac injury. Methods: A case-control study was performed. Virologically proven COVID-19 cases and age- and gender-matched controls were interviewed to assess symptoms and HRQoL. Biochemical tests were also performed. Results: The study comprised 174 cases and 75 controls. The mean age of the participants was 46.1±13.8 years. The median follow-up was 173.5 days (interquartile range 129-193.25 days). There was no significant difference in the demographics between cases and controls. At follow-up, cases had a higher frequency of shortness of breath, fatigue, arthralgia, abnormal taste of food (P <.001), and anosmia. Cases also exhibited worse scores in the general health and role physical domains of the Short Form Survey-36. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was significantly higher in the cases, and there was a positive correlation of hsCRP with time. Significant determinants of shortness of breath were age, female gender and white cell count, troponin I, and lower hemoglobin levels at follow-up. Conclusion: Post-COVID-19 patients have persistent symptomatology at medium-term follow-up. Higher hsCRP in cases and the positive association of hsCRP with time suggest ongoing systemic inflammation in patients persisting for months after COVID-19. |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131111 |
ISSN: | 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.04.022 |
Appears in Collections: | Scholarly Works - FacM&SMed |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Long COVID Case-control_1.pdf Restricted Access | 750.64 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
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