There’s a new NIH study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that’s making the rounds this morning that will surely shake up the conversation on Long COVID:
An important new study is out. Baseline findings from the NIH's longitudinal, intramural Long COVID study — perhaps the most detailed, controlled, comprehensive investigation of multiple health metrics in this setting thus far conducted — were just published in @AnnalsIM
A🧵
1/— Adam W Gaffney (@awgaffney) May 23, 2022
First up, the study tested for a number of conditions and found . . . nothing:
“On the other hand, numerous biomarkers showed no difference between those post-COVID and controls, including tests for:
(1) general inflammation (e.g. CRP)
(2) autoimmunity (e.g. ANA)
(3) clotting abnormality (e.g. d-dimer)
(4) heart inflammation (e.g. troponin)
(5) Kidney function
(6) Liver function
(7) Blood levels
(8) Brain injury (neurofilament light chains)In terms of heart function, assessed with ultrasound: Again, no differences between post-COVID subjects and controls.
There was no difference in percent with low oxygen levels either.
There was a distance in walk distance over 6-minutes compared to controls: 560m vs. 595m.”
Next, they report lung function tests.
Again, no differences, unsurprising given that the post-COVID patients mostly did not have severe pneumonia which damages the lungs.
On the other hand, numerous biomarkers showed no difference between those post-COVID and controls, including tests for:
(1) general inflammation (e.g. CRP)
(2) autoimmunity (e.g. ANA)
(3) clotting abnormality (e.g. d-dimer)
(4) heart inflammation (e.g. troponin)— Adam W Gaffney (@awgaffney) May 23, 2022
(5) Kidney function
(6) Liver function
(7) Blood levels
(8) Brain injury (neurofilament light chains)Next, they report lung function tests.
Again, no differences, unsurprising given that the post-COVID patients mostly did not have severe pneumonia which damages the lungs.
6/
— Adam W Gaffney (@awgaffney) May 23, 2022
In terms of heart function, assessed with ultrasound: Again, no differences between post-COVID subjects and controls.
There was no difference in percent with low oxygen levels either.
There was a distance in walk distance over 6-minutes compared to controls: 560m vs. 595m.
7/
— Adam W Gaffney (@awgaffney) May 23, 2022
And there goes that narrative:
A small prospective #LongCovid study cohort assessing persistent virus, autoimmunity, or immune activation failed to show any of these features were present or differed from controlshttps://t.co/pKFX1doOhP @AnnalsofIM pic.twitter.com/93vS0QZuWb
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) May 23, 2022
But the study did find a link between those reporting Long COVID and a “history of an anxiety disorder”:
“The investigators identified few pre-COVID-19 risk factors for PASC, e.g. a history of an anxiety disorder. In contrast, there were no correlations between any of the diagnostic tests and the presence of PASC.”
The investigators identified few pre-COVID-19 risk factors for PASC, e.g. a history of an anxiety disorder.
In contrast, there were no correlations between any of the diagnostic tests and the presence of PASC.
— Adam W Gaffney (@awgaffney) May 23, 2022
Double welp!
Interestingly in the study, a history of an anxiety disorder was found to be one of the few risk factors for PASC (long COVID).
In contrast, no correlations btw any of the diagnostic tests & the presence of long COVID symptoms were identified…
2x
— Lucy McBride, MD (@drlucymcbride) May 24, 2022
And now we just sit back and watch the fireworks, because there will be fireworks:
"Increased risk for PASC (aka long covid) was noted in women and those with a history of anxiety disorder."https://t.co/FD7fq7wmXs
— Jennifer Sey (@JenniferSey) May 23, 2022
A good question:
Am I reading this right that LongCovid is basically a product of anxiety disorder? And if so, is it basically just a hypochondriacal reaction? Or is there something in the brain chemistry that produces anxiety disorders that also produces LongCovid? https://t.co/gm1RuRMHoX
— Aaron Astor (@AstorAaron) May 24, 2022
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