Trends in Patients with Long COVID (COVID-19 Long-Term Effects) in the Kampo Outpatient Department of Infectious Diseases at Our Clinic — From Early Cases / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

In response to the increasing numbers of patients with long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we started using Kampo (traditional Japanese) medicine for some outpatients. We analyzed the patients' characteristics and the treatments used in each case. Our subjects were 9 patients who visited our clinic between May and September 2021. All subjects provided their written informed consent and were followed for several months. Decoctions or extract formulations were prescribed for treatment based on pattern identification, and general guidance related to lifestyle habits based on traditional thought was also provided. Fatigue, lifestyle of intemperance (due to excessive amounts of cold foods and drinks), and mental/physical stress were present in each patient. Some patients also felt strong anxiety about the lack of any established Western medical treatment and insufficient follow-up systems for patients with long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID). Tonic formulas and formulas of involving Bupleuri radix were often used. All 9 patients showed a tendency to improve their symptoms within 4 or 5 weeks of treatment. Our impression is that the prompt effect of Kampo medicine was achieved by combining the use of Kampo medicines with instructions to stop eating excessive amounts of cold foods and/or drinks. Further study is needed in the future. For long COVID, no Western medical treatment has yet been established. On the other hand, in our experience with these patients, Kampo medicine based on the concept of mind-body unity was useful.