Research into long COVID—the array of symptoms that remain with some patients after recovery from the acute phase of infection—has been growing in breadth and depth, revealing a more complete understanding of general risks and how it affects different populations. The findings could have implications for surgeons as they decide on treatment options or discuss them with patients and their families. Excerpts from some recent research studies follow.
Sex Differences in Sequelae from COVID-19 Infection and in Long COVID Syndrome: A Review (Current Medical Research and Opinion)
In addition to other significant findings for acute illness, this study found that women experienced long COVID symptoms at a disproportionately higher rate than men, though the sequelae in each group differed. According to the article:
“Across the few studies that have reported sex-disaggregated data, we found that, overall, female patients were more likely to experience long COVID-19 syndrome than their male counterparts. … In patients who experienced long COVID syndrome, ENT, GI, psychiatric/mood, dermatological, neurological, and other complications (primarily rheumatological complications and fatigue) were significantly more likely in female patients, while endocrine and renal complications were significantly more likely in male patients.”
Long COVID Symptoms in SARS-CoV-2-Positive Children Aged 0–14 Years and Matched Controls in Denmark (LongCOVIDKidsDK): A National, Cross-Sectional Study (Lancet Child & Adolescent Health)
This study specifically examined the prevalence of long COVID symptoms in children, finding that this group has more prevalent, long-term symptoms than controls. The article stated:
“[C]hildren who had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection in all age groups from 0 to 14 years reported a higher prevalence of long-lasting symptoms compared with age-sex-matched controls, and, among the oldest respondents, more females than males had long-lasting symptoms. ... Further research should study post-COVID-19 diagnoses, prescribed drugs, and healthcare use to better understand symptom clusters and long-term consequences of COVID-19 and the pandemic in children.”
Risk of Long COVID Associated with Delta versus Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 (Lancet)
The omicron variant of COVID-19 has been suggested to cause less severe illness than previous variants, including the original strain and the delta variant, especially in vaccinated populations. This study sought to determine whether the more “severe” delta variant produced a higher rate of long COVID symptoms than the “milder” omicron variant, and results suggest that was, indeed, the case. The article noted:
“Among omicron cases, 2,501 (4.5%) of 56,003 people experienced long COVID and, among delta cases, 4,469 (10.8%) of 41,361 people experienced long COVID. Omicron cases were less likely to experience long COVID for all vaccine timings, with an odds ratio ranging from 0.24 (0.20–0.32) to 0.50 (0.43–0.59). These results were also confirmed when the analysis was stratified by age group.”
Health Resources and Services Administration Releases Additional Provider Relief Funds
The US Department of Health and Human Services, through its Health Resources and Services Administration, will be disbursing $142 million in Provider Relief Funds this month. This additional batch of phase 4 funds brings the total released to approximately $14.5 billion out of $17 billion total to be released.
Read a state-by-state breakdown of where these funds will be delivered.
