ABSTRACT
This article, the first in a three-part series on Long Covid, provides a definition of post-Covid-19 syndrome and Long Covid. It highlights the considerations for diagnosis and an overview of the management of commonly reported symptoms through the experience of one of the 90 NHS England commissioned post Covid (Long Covid) assessment clinics, in addition to lived experiences of persons with Long Covid (PwLC). The next two articles in this series will look at the use of digital technology in Long Covid self-management and virtual group assessments.
ABSTRACT
The article focuses on long COVID-19 and its impact on healthcare workers;other topics including the variety of symptoms and manifestations of the condition, the uncertainty surrounding the number of healthcare workers affected, and the risk of worsened symptoms upon reinfection.
ABSTRACT
The article presents the discussion on COVID examining the association of mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and longterm health outcomes. Topics include mild disease not leading to serious or chronic long-term morbidity in the vast majority of patients and adding a small, continuous burden on healthcare providers;and showing fairly significant risks for cognitive impairment, dyspnea, and weakness.
ABSTRACT
to describe baseline characteristics of patients referred for outpatient rehabilitation therapies during the first 7 months of Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital's Post-COVID Recovery Program. Retrospective cohort. Outpatient rehabilitation clinic. All patients referred to the BMRH Post-COVID Recovery Program from May – December 2021, excluding those with neurodegenerative conditions and those already receiving physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy for a pre-existing condition at the time of their COVID-19 diagnosis. Not applicable. This study focuses on describing baseline characteristics of a relatively new clinical population, ergo there is no main outcome measure. Of 116 patients referred to the program, 94 (81.0%) were assessed by at least one therapy discipline. Of patients assessed, 72.3% were assessed by more than one discipline, and 37.2% were evaluated by all three: PT, OT, and Speech. The mean duration from COVID-19 diagnosis to referral was 203.2 days (SD=160.11). The majority of patients, 66.7%, were not hospitalized for COVID-19. Among patients' chief complaints, the top five were cognitive issues (76.6%), decreased endurance (75.5%), decreased strength (62.8%), pain (56.4%), and balance deficits (50.0%). The most common premorbid conditions were anxiety/depression (37.0%), hypertension (35.3%), lipid disorders (33.6%), current/former smoker (31.0%), and migraines (21.6%). Average body mass index at time of COVID-19 diagnosis was 31.33 (SD=8.89), with 29.15 and 25.88 at the median and first quartile, respectively, indicating that the majority of patients fell within CDC ranges for overweight or obesity. Cognitive complaints were correlated with female assigned sex, lower levels of care received for COVID illness, and preserved strength. Decreased endurance was correlated with higher BMI, lipid disorder, higher level of care, and other physical complaints. Balance deficits were correlated with hypertension and longer duration. These results shed light on a relatively new patient population and their rehabilitation needs. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread, more and more patients will seek rehabilitation services as part of their recovery. Understanding the characteristics of these patients is key to developing and refining effective treatment protocols. Nothing to disclose.