Measurable Organ Impairment in Long COVID Patients: Study in BJM

 New research published in BMJ Open outlines findings from a study on multiorgan impairment in individuals with persistent symptoms following recovery from COVID-19 infection— a condition referred to as long COVID. The study included characterization of organ function using global medical technology company Perspectum’s non-invasive imaging technology.

Long COVID, also referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome, is yet to be fully understood, but has wide-ranging and fluctuating symptoms, which can include breathlessness, chronic fatigue, “brain fog”, anxiety and stress. The research examined associations between hospitalization, severity of COVID-19 symptoms and multiorgan impairment (in heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen), and demonstrated a physiological basis for long COVID. Although the study population were considered to be at low risk of COVID-19 mortality but with ongoing symptoms, seventy percent showed impairment in one or more organs up to four months after initial COVID-19 symptoms.

“Early in the pandemic, research and clinical practice focused on pulmonary effects of COVID-19, but as we scanned patients using Perspectum’s quantitative MRI, we found evidence of multiorgan impairment,” says Dr Amitava Banerjee, Associate Professor in Clinical Data Science and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist, University College London. “Because our research demonstrated physiological effects in a majority of patients, we believe major organ systems must be assessed in all patients recovering from COVID-19 — to help define long COVID, determine its aftereffects and develop multidisciplinary care pathways.”

“There are tremendous implications for healthcare and public health, which have assumed low risk in young people with no comorbidities,” adds Dr Banerjee. “While our research examined patients hospitalized with COVID-19, future research should address longer-term follow-up of organ function beyond symptoms and blood investigations, even in lower risk individuals who were not hospitalized with the disease; and prioritization for imaging, investigation and referral.”

https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/new-study-shows-measurable-organ-impairment-in-long-covid-patients/