#Longcovid is a multifaceted disease; it can affect multiple organ systems including respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, mental health, metabolic, gastrointestinal, kidneys, and other organ systems.
People with #longcovid have increased risk of incident use of several therapeutics including pain medications (opioids and non-opioids), antidepressants, anxiolytics, antihypertensives, and oral antihyperglycemics and evidence of laboratory abnormalities in multiple organ systems
#Longcovid is evident even in those who had mild acute disease which did not require hospitalization during the acute phase of the infection
Burden of #longCOVID increases substantially in those who required hospitalization, and is most pronounced in those who needed ICU care during the acute phase of the infection
When comparing the post-acute sequelea of COVID vs flu, COVID exhibited remarkably higher burden of post-acute sequalae. Both the magnitude of risk AND extent of organ system involvement were much higher than post-acute flu manifestations.
People with #longcovid need multidisciplinary care.
If there ever was an exemplar in clinical medicine that best illustrates the importance of integrated multidisciplinary care, it is #longcovid. Health systems should quickly adapt to this reality.
I can’t believe that I have to say this, but yes, #longcovid is real. People with long covid should be listened to, and their experiences must be honored.