Understanding The Episodic Nature Of Symptom Profiles And Functional Status In Individuals With Long COVID.

PURPOSE: It has been reported that there are 65 million people globally living with long COVID. Widely reported symptoms include fatigue, malaise, dyspnoea, and cognitive dysfunction which severely restrict individuals ability to participate in everyday activities, however there is limited data highlighting the episodic symptoms. Accordingly, we conducted a 16-week cohort observation to understand the symptom profiles and functional capacity of those with long COVID. METHOD: Sixty-five participants (75.4% female, 51 ± 11 years) were recruited from LC clinics in the United Kingdom to a 16-week cohort observation study. On the baseline visit and each follow up visit (every 4 weeks), participants completed a self-paced 6MWT (total 6-minute-walk-distance [6MWD], %SpO2 and rate of perceived exertion measured following completion), Time-Up-And-Go Test (TUG), and a range of validated self-reported outcome measures (fatigue assessment scale [FAS], post-COVID-19-functional status scale [PCFS], symptom score and montreal cognitive assessment [MoCA], MRC dyspnoea scale). RESULTS: Repeated measure ANOVA and post-hoc analysis highlighted that 6MWD (p < .001) and post completion RPE signigicantly fluctuated across the 16-weeks (p = .033), and remained lower than normative values for healthy age matched controls, however there was no sigfniciant difference in SPo2 across the 16-weeks post completion. TUG also significantly fluctuated across the 16 weeks (p < .001), however remained similar to the expected values for healthy controls. FAS (p = .021), PCFS (p = .006), and MoCA also significantly fluctuated over time (p = .001), however dyspnoea did not. CONCLUSION: The functional status of those with LC is lower than healthy age matched controls. Patients exhibit severely impacted QoL and FS that demonstrates little improvement over 16 weeks, and fluctuates with periods of improvement and deterioration over time. Our research highlights the episodic nature of long COVID symptoms, and research must inform treatment and support mechanisms that address this complex symptomology and restore QoL and FS. Gilead Sciences (#IN-UK-983-6080)