The new research is meant to help scientists move forward in finding a treatment for a condition that still plagues millions of Americans.
A long-awaited study that zeroes in on the most common groups of symptoms for people with long Covid may not bring the relief millions of Americans and doctors have been wanting.
The study, some of the first research from the National Institutes of Health’s billion-dollar RECOVER program, does not provide a standardized definition of the condition. Researchers say it is a first step in identifying a "common language" for scientists working toward treatments for the condition.
"I think that the amount of science that's going to come after this is going to be an avalanche," said study author Dr. Leora Horwitz, a professor of population health and medicine at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, as well as the director of the Center for Healthcare Innovation and Delivery Science at NYU Langone Health.
The new study, published Thursday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at data from 9,764 adults in the RECOVER trial, which has been recruiting participants since last year. The vast majority, 8,646 people, had previously been diagnosed with Covid.
Long Covid defies definition. There are many protean symptoms that overlap with other disease states. Chronic fatigue syndrome which is now called Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) .
Ongoing fatigue.
Dizziness.
Thirst.
Cough.
Chest pain.
Heart palpitations.
Abnormal movements.
Upset stomach.
Lack of sexual desire.
Loss of smell or taste.
Feeling sick or overly exhausted after physical activity, also known as post-exertional malaise.
There are some biomarkers associated with Long Covid, also known as Long Haul Covid. This list is exhaustive and non-specific and may occur in other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
A total of 239 candidate biomarkers were identified, consisting mainly of immune cells, immunoglobulins, cytokines, and other plasma proteins. 19 of the 239 candidate biomarkers identified were evaluated by the authors, by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves
The answers thus far are nonspecific and no specific treatments are available other than the usual attempt to maintain good nutrition, exercise and a wellness approach to minimizing symptoms.
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