The American journal of medicine
-
Postural sway and physical capacity had not previously been compared between people with long COVID and people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Therefore, this study determined postural sway and physical capacity in people with long COVID (∼16-month illness duration; n = 21) and ME/CFS (∼16-year illness duration; n = 20), vs age-matched healthy controls (n = 20). ⋯ These data suggest that both people with long COVID and people with ME/CFS have similarly impaired balance and physical capacity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for interventions to target postural sway and physical capacity in people with ME/CFS, and given the current pandemic, people with long COVID.
-
There has been some effort to map the prevalence, frequency, and severity of symptoms of long COVID at local and national levels. However, what is frequently absent from such accounts is details of the impact the disease and its symptoms have had on those living with the condition. In this article, we present details of the impact on work, caring, and mental health gathered using a cross-sectional survey. ⋯ Long COVID has a significant impact on ability to work, study, and care for dependents. The severity of this impact is associated with specific symptom burden, including fatigue, pain, and cognitive impairment.
-
Commonly reported symptoms of long COVID may have different patterns of prevalence and presentation across different countries. While some limited data have been reported for the United Kingdom, national specificity for Scotland is less clear. We present a cross-sectional survey to examine the symptom prevalence, frequency, and severity of long COVID for people living with the condition in Scotland. ⋯ These findings outline the challenges faced for those living with long COVID and highlight the need for longitudinal research to ascertain a better understanding of the condition and its longer-term societal impact.
-
Coccidioidomycosis is endemic to the Southwest United States and Mexico. In this case series we describe 3 cases, occurring in the Southwest United States, of patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis infection in cirrhosis, all with a miliary pattern present on chest imaging. ⋯ This case series highlights the severity of disseminated coccidioidomycosis in patients with cirrhosis in an endemic area, as well as potential early clues such as miliary patterns on chest imaging. A review of the literature found a significant connection among potential mechanisms describing why patients with cirrhosis have such adverse outcomes in the setting of disseminated coccidioidomycosis, including cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction and genetic defects in immune functioning.