The American journal of medicine
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The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of considering social determinants of health in health outcomes. Within this spectrum of determinants, social networks garnered attention as the pandemic highlighted the negative effects of social isolation in the context of social distancing measures. Postpandemic, examining the role social networks play in COVID-19 recovery can help guide patient care and shape future health policies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social networks and self-rated health change, as well as physical function, in patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia. ⋯ This study emphasized the importance of social networks as a social determinant of health among patients recovering from COVID-19 hospitalization. Targeted interventions to enhance social networks may benefit not only COVID-19 patients but also individuals recovering from other acute illnesses.
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COVID-19 is associated with increased risk of post-acute cardiovascular outcomes. Population-based evidence for long periods of observation is still limited. ⋯ SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with higher cardiovascular risk, with graded increase across the acute COVID-19 severity, contributing to 7% of incident major adverse cardiovascular events. These findings suggest that long-term monitoring of cardiovascular risk is required in COVID-19 survivors.
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Long COVID Characteristics and Experience: A Descriptive Study from the Yale LISTEN Research Cohort.
The experience of people with long COVID needs further amplification, especially with a comprehensive focus on symptomatology, treatments, and the impact on daily life and finances. Our intent is to describe the experience of people with long COVID symptomatology and characterize the psychological, social, and financial challenges they experience. ⋯ Despite having tried numerous treatments, participants with long COVID continued to experience an array of health and financial challenges-findings that underscore the failure of the healthcare system to address the medical needs of people with long COVID. These insights highlight the need for crucial medical, mental health, financial, and community support services, as well as further scientific investigation to address the complex impact of long COVID.
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Patients suffering from long COVID may exhibit autonomic dysregulation. However, the association between autonomic dysregulation and exercise intolerance and the impact of therapeutic interventions on its modulation remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between heart rate recovery at the first minute (HRR1), a proxy for autonomic imbalance, and exercise intolerance in patients with long COVID. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the effects of a 12-week home-based inspiratory muscle training program on autonomic modulation in this patient population. ⋯ Lower baseline HRR1 is associated with exercise intolerance in long COVID patients and may serve as a valuable criterion for identifying individuals likely to benefit more from a home-based inspiratory muscle training program.