Patient-Led ResearchOct 4, 2024

Last week, we released a new preprint on reinfections.

This paper details the impact of COVID-19 reinfections on both people with and without #LongCovid.

Overall, the odds of Long COVID increase with reinfections.

Read the preprint here (link also in bio):
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-4909082/v1

Long COVID and associated outcomes following COVID-19 reinfections: Insights from an International Patient-Led Survey

Background: COVID-19 reinfections are common worldwide. Long COVID is a serious infection-associated chronic condition and a major public health concern. Using a patient-centered approach, we characterized the association between reinfections and Long COVID. Methods: We developed and dissemi...

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Those who had 2 COVID infections were 2.14 times more likely, and those who had 3 or more COVID infections were 3.75 times more likely, to report #LongCOVID than those with one infection.

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The odds of both severe fatigue and post-exertional malaise, two debilitating symptoms, increased with reinfections. 3/ #LongCovid
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The frequency and severity of post-exertional malaise (PEM) increased with reinfections. 4/ #LongCovid
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The severity of fatigue, as measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale, also increased with reinfections. 5/ #LongCovid
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The odds of having limitations to physical functioning increased with COVID reinfections, including bathing and dressing limitations, limitations to moderate activity such as pushing a vacuum cleaner, and social limitations. 6/ #LongCovid
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Reinfections increased the odds of reporting poor immune health, including having had many other infections and taking longer to recover from common infections. 7/ #LongCovid
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The number of vaccines and boosters prior to an infection reduced the odds of Long COVID, but their protective effect was diminished by reinfections. 8/
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For those who menstruated, reinfections were associated with worsening of ongoing or chronic health issues related to the menstrual cycle. 9/ #LongCovid
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The paper is full of interesting findings, but a few others that stand out:

Only a small percentage reported being prescribed antivirals for acute COVID. 10/

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Participants were less likely to report getting a COVID test the more reinfections they experienced, likely due to decreased societal testing over time.

However: they were more likely to test if someone around them tested positive. 11/

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Trans, nonbinary, agender, and other gender nonconforming people were less likely to report being prescribed medication for acute COVID. 12/ #LongCovid
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The co-authors are all PLRC (@patientled) members who are researchers & have #LongCovid, with affiliations at UCSF, Yale, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, U of Wyoming, U of Bern, U of Bristol,
Long Covid Chile & Black COVID-19 Survivors Alliance.

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Oct 4, 2024 at 4:08pmWeb
Show threadPatient-Led ResearchOct 4, 2024

This was a huge effort over years - thank you to everyone who contributed

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Show threadAuscandocOct 4, 2024
@patientled Really useful information. Thank you.