New research discusses the lasting effects of long COVID, even among those who didn't require hospitalization.
It highlights a study published in Nature Medicine that reveals the physical aftermath of long COVID can persist for two years or more, impacting the quality of life for both hospitalized and non-hospitalized individuals.
The study, conducted in collaboration with the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system, analyzed medical records of about 6 million patients. Those who contracted COV
We’re beginning to see the severity of that issue. According to a paper published today in Nature Medicine, the physical fallout from long COVID may last two years or longer–and it can take a toll on quality of life even for those whose initial cases didn’t require hospital care.
ID-19 but didn't need hospitalization still faced elevated risks for various conditions such as diabetes, lung issues, fatigue, blood clots, and gastrointestinal/musculoskeletal disorders, even two years after infection. Hospitalized patients faced even more dire outcomes, with higher risks for hospitalization and death, along with substantial risks across all organ systems.
The study underscores the need to recognize the extended effects of long COVID, going beyond the typical six-month or one-year benchmarks. The research suggests that the impact can be significant and may result in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to ongoing health issues.
Also addressed is the lack of validated treatments for long COVID, despite the urgency. Experts advocate for increased clinical trials and research to better understand and address the lingering effects of the disease.
