The worrying effects of ‘long Covid’ on virus survivors

A “significant” proportion of Covid-19 patients admitted to hospital will still suffer adverse symptoms three months after being sent home, a study has suggested.

Breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety, depression and limited ability to do exercise are felt by many two to three months after they were infected with the new coronavirus, the research shows.

And MRI scans have revealed that many are left with abnormalities in the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys.

Scans also revealed changes in the brain which were coupled with “impaired cognitive performance”, scientists said.

Those who had poor exercise performance and abnormalities detected in their MRI scans were also more likely to show markers for inflammation in their blood – which the researchers said could mean there is a potential link between chronic inflammation and organ damage among survivors.

Researchers from the University of Oxford set out to examine the medium-term effects of Covid-19 on 58 people admitted to hospital, compared with 30 people who have not been affected by the virus.

The participants underwent MRI scans of their brain, lungs, heart, liver and kidneys; spirometry to test their lung function; a six-minute walk test; cardiopulmonary exercise test, as well as assessments of their quality of life, cognitive and mental health.

Two to three months after they first showed symptoms, 64% still suffered persistent breathlessness and 55% has significant fatigue.

Scans showed abnormalities in the lungs of 60% of those who had been admitted to hospital with Covid-19.

A quarter (26%) had damage to heart tissue, and 10% showed signs of liver damage while 29% had kidney abnormalities.

Researchers also detected tissue changes in the brain and the participants also “demonstrated impaired cognitive performance”.

Patients were also more likely to report moderate to severe anxiety and depression as well as significant impairment to their quality of life.

Covid patients also showed “significantly reduced” exercise tolerance, they added. The scientists said the abnormalities detected on scans and reduced exercise capacity was correlated with markers of inflammation.

The paper concluded: “A significant proportion of Covid-19 patients discharged from hospital experience ongoing symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety, depression and exercise limitation at two to three months from diseaseonset.