Symptom persistence and biomarkers in post-COVID-19/chronic fatigue syndrome – results from a prospective observational cohort

  1. A. F. Legler
  2. L. Meyer-Arndt
  3. L. Mödl
  4. C. Kedor
  5. H. Freitag
  6. E. Stein
  7. U. Hoppmann
  8. R. Rust
  9. Frank Konietschke
  10. A. Thiel
  11. F. Paul
  12. C. Scheibenbogen
  13. J. Bellmann-Strobl

Reviewed by

Read the full article See related articles

Listed in

Log in to save this article

Abstract

Introduction

Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, predominantly fatigue and exertional intolerance. While disease courses during the first year post infection have been repeatedly described, little is known about long-term health consequences.

Methods

We assessed symptom severity and various biomarkers at three time points post infection (3-8 months (mo), 9-16mo, 17-20mo) in 106 PCS patients with moderate to severe fatigue and exertional intolerance. A subset of patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (PCS-ME/CFS) based on the Canadian Consensus Criteria.

Results

While PCS-ME/CFS patients showed persisting symptom severity and disability up to 20mo post infection, PCS patients reported an overall health improvement. Inflammatory biomarkers equally decreased in both groups. Lower hand grip force at onset correlated with symptom persistence especially in PCS-ME/CFS.

Discussion

Debilitating PCS may persist beyond 20mo post infection, particularly in patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS.

Article activity feed

  1. Rapid Reviews Infectious Diseases

    Ruud Raijmakers

    Review 2: "Symptom Persistence and Biomarkers in Post-COVID-19/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Results From a Prospective Observational Cohort"

    In its current state as a preprint, descriptions of several methods and supplemental data are also not available, making it more difficult to fully assess certain results.

  2. Rapid Reviews Infectious Diseases

    Andrew Lloyd

    Review 1: "Symptom Persistence and Biomarkers in Post-COVID-19/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Results From a Prospective Observational Cohort"

    In its current state as a preprint, descriptions of several methods and supplemental data are also not available, making it more difficult to fully assess certain results.

  4. Version published to 10.1101/2023.04.15.23288582v1 on medRxiv