Figures
- FIGURE 1
Sinuhe, The Egyptian, by Mika Waltari (1945).
Tables
- TABLE 1
Characteristics of each prospective cohort of clinical cases, analysis and main findings on post-COVID-19 respiratory outcomes
Population Follow up Analysis Main findings Vigeland TV, et al. [9] 103 patients across 6 medical centers in Norway 3 months (~90 days) after admission Descriptive analysis of patients based on ICU admission. Univariate logistic model for severity indices and respiratory outcomes. Multivariate logistic model for respiratory outcomes related to ICU stay. Approximately 50% patients presented persistent dyspnoea on exertion, and 25% reduced diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Participants admitted to ICU during hospitalisation presented more CT abnormalities and reported more problems in daily-life activities, but similar lung function and self-reported dyspnoea to those not admitted to ICU. Sonnweber T, et al. [10] 145 patients across 4 medical centers in Austria. 60, and 100 days after admission Overall and subgroup descriptive analyses for time-related differences. Secondary analyses using adjusted generalised linear models to account for time-series. Major improvement of symptoms over time, however, 41% patients presented symptoms after 100 days: most frequently dyspnoea (36%), and impaired lung function (21%). Small proportion of patients with cardiac impairment or pulmonary hypertension. Frequent finding in CT scans of lung pathologies (63%) without fibrosis Guler SA, et al. [11] 113 patients across 9 medical centers in Switzerland 4 months (~120 days) after discharge Descriptive analysis of patient's outcomes stratified into mild and severe cases. Adjusted logistic models for radiological features related to disease severity DLCO-percent predicted identified as the single most important factor associated with severe/critical COVID-19 translated to reduced walking distance and oxygen desaturation on exercise. Presence of mosaic hypoattenuation on chest CT at follow-up was significantly associated with previous severe/critical COVID-19 - TABLE 2
Recommendations for future clinical observational studies on post-COVID-19 syndrome
1. Reports should follow all/most STROBE recommendations for observational research, and attach their checklist [24] 2. Minimal follow-up of 6 months 3. Early, active identification of subjects at risk of severe sequelae 4. Use reference groups (i.e.: hospital controls via electronic health records; or population-based controls; or else) 5. Tests, questionnaires and tools to assess patient outcomes should be pre-specified as per a protocol 6. A minimum dataset to merge variables/values/patients in a standard dictionary should be implemented 7. Characterise risk factors known for persistence of symptoms: high blood pressure, overweight/obesity, smoking, mental health conditions, other comorbidities and their treatment, … 8. Recording of real-time data with apps, remote sensors and e-health 9. Assess mental status and post-traumatic stress disorder 10. Assess quality-of-life of patients (and their carers) objectively 11. Identify early potential pharmacological (e.g. steroids) and non-pharmacological (IMV and NIMV, …) adverse events 12. Report at the least three sets of serial measurements over time, to fully assess recovery 13. Use objective techniques, like cardiopulmonary exercise test, to assess the exercise impairment 14. Assess effects of targeted rehabilitation 15. Differentiate from systemic exertion intolerance disease, formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (SEID/CFS) 16. Identify laboratory tests or biomarkers to characterise the post-COVID-19 syndrome 17. Assess correlation between symptoms and abnormal peak oxygen consumption
Vol 57 Issue 1
Table of Contents
Nefer, Sinuhe and clinical research assessing post-COVID-19 syndrome
