AgenciesMore than half of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital still experienced symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety and depression for two to three months after their initial infection, according to the findings of a small UK study.
The research, led by scientists at Britain's Oxford University, looked at the long-term impact of COVID-19 in 58 patients hospitalised with the pandemic disease.
It found that some patients have abnormalities in multiple organs after being infected with the novel coronavirus and that persistent inflammation caused problems for some for months.
The study has not been peer-reviewed by other scientists but was published before review on the MedRxiv website.
"These findings underscore the need to further explore the physiological processes associated with COVID-19 and to develop a holistic, integrated model of clinical care for our patients after they have been discharged from hospital," said Betty Raman, a doctor at Oxford's Radcliffe Department of Medicine who co-led the research.
An initial report by Britain's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) published last week showed that ongoing illness after infection with COVID-19, sometimes called "long COVID", can involve a wide range of symptoms affecting all parts of the body and mind.
The Oxford study's results showed that two to three months after the onset of the COVID-19, 64% of patients suffered persistent breathlessness and 55% reported significant fatigue.
MRI scans showed abnormalities in the lungs of 60% of the COVID-19 patients, in the kidneys of 29%, in the hearts of 26% and the livers of 10%.
"The abnormalities detected ... strongly correlated with serum markers of inflammation," Raman said. "This suggests a potential link between chronic inflammation and ongoing organ damage among survivors."
The research, led by scientists at Britain's Oxford University, looked at the long-term impact of COVID-19 in 58 patients hospitalised with the pandemic disease.
It found that some patients have abnormalities in multiple organs after being infected with the novel coronavirus and that persistent inflammation caused problems for some for months.
The study has not been peer-reviewed by other scientists but was published before review on the MedRxiv website.
"These findings underscore the need to further explore the physiological processes associated with COVID-19 and to develop a holistic, integrated model of clinical care for our patients after they have been discharged from hospital," said Betty Raman, a doctor at Oxford's Radcliffe Department of Medicine who co-led the research.
An initial report by Britain's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) published last week showed that ongoing illness after infection with COVID-19, sometimes called "long COVID", can involve a wide range of symptoms affecting all parts of the body and mind.
The Oxford study's results showed that two to three months after the onset of the COVID-19, 64% of patients suffered persistent breathlessness and 55% reported significant fatigue.
MRI scans showed abnormalities in the lungs of 60% of the COVID-19 patients, in the kidneys of 29%, in the hearts of 26% and the livers of 10%.
"The abnormalities detected ... strongly correlated with serum markers of inflammation," Raman said. "This suggests a potential link between chronic inflammation and ongoing organ damage among survivors."
Read More News on
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
Also Read
1 Comment on this Story
 | Pratyay Bhaumik59 minutes ago Another fear mongering implant. Most admitted patients were seriously ill due to covid or comorbidities. Their hospital stay were nightmarish both in comfort or billing. Financially doomed at unreasonable price of Pvt healthcare and psychologically doomed at many govt set up they may never recover fully in their lifetime. Dyspnoea may persists after 2 months because of comorbidities. It is unlikely due to structural damage induced by covid in lung. Lack of healthy and usual communication between patients and doctors and family members have also contributed. Covid patients may have got treatment but have not got any respect or dignity in life and death. India has over 21 percent oxygen in it's air but when it is given to covid patients the rate is highest in the world on PPP. Dyspnoea , depression, fatigue will not be limited in covid survivors , but will extend to economy for a decade. |