“COVID Long Tail” can attack all organs. What is the threat and who is the most affected?

Almost all organs may be affected by prolonged illness with COVID-19, the so-called long COVID (also called “COVID long tail” – Medonet’s note) – says prof. Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis from the Medical University in Poznań. Who is most at risk of complications from the coronavirus? What ailments may occur?

All organs can be affected by prolonged illness with COVID-19

In some patients, COVID-19 does not end with the resolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In some of them, symptoms such as chronic fatigue, exercise intolerance and muscle pain last longer than three months.

– Prolonged COVID-19 disease may affect all organs, especially in seniors – warns the president of the Polish Gerontological Society, Prof. Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis. The specialist spoke about it during the conference “Post-COVID Patient. What remains and what disappears? » organized by the National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation in Warsaw.

1. Symptoms that predict long COVID-19. These people are most at risk

Prof. Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis pointed out that COVID-19 is no exception. Similar symptoms have already been observed in other viral diseases, such as infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and the so-called Ross river fever.

All infections, including COVID-19 disease, have a particularly negative impact on the entire body of seniors and on their efficiency and functioning. Inflammation of the lungs can result in unusual symptoms not usually associated with this infection. The data presented by the president of the Polish Gerontological Society show that seniors may exacerbate another chronic disease, such as heart failure. Mental disorders develop in half of the elderly patients, their functional efficiency decreases and they are more prone to falls. There is also a general deterioration of the health of the elderly.

When the so-called geriatric cascade and what is it?

– However, it should be remembered that the deterioration of the fitness of an elderly person may be a manifestation of many different diseases, for example heart disease. Therefore, extensive diagnostics is needed – the specialist emphasizes, emphasizing that hospitalization itself is unfavorable for a senior: it causes immobilization and changes in the diet. Then the so-called geriatric cascade, i.e. a decrease in muscle mass, which results in deterioration of fitness and lower mobility. This hinders the daily functioning of the elderly and favors their malnutrition, which in turn worsens their health even more.

– We are dealing with a syndrome, the simultaneous impact of several diseases – explains prof. Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis. The SARS-CoV-2 virus infection overlaps with other pre-existing diseases. This may worsen the course of COVID-19 as well as aggravate other ailments, especially cardiovascular diseases. – Mild cognitive impairment can sometimes progress to dementia. Lack of physical activity, limitation of social contacts, for example in lockdown, as well as improper diet can promote or increase the progression of dementia – she enumerates.

The specialist claims that it is reported by caregivers of patients with dementia, for whom the deterioration of the patient’s health is an even greater burden. – In the case of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, as much as 80 percent. their caregivers declare that symptoms such as apathy and depression have worsened in the pandemic. For caregivers, it is a greater burden of care, and this makes them sick more often, especially when they cannot count on too much help in the medical care system – he explains. She added that every second caregiver of a person with Alzheimer’s disease dies earlier, leaving the patient unattended.

Pilot of geriatric care for elderly patients. Who can apply?

Prof. Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis informed that In Poznań, a pilot of comprehensive geriatric care was launched for elderly patients who experience symptoms after COVID-19 for more than three months. It may include residents of Poznań aged at least 60 years old who have had this disease and report new ailments or deterioration in everyday functioning as a result of coronavirus infection after 12 weeks.

The program, which will last until November 26, 2021, is run by the Palium hospice in Poznań (tel. 61 646 33 44). All patients enrolled in it will be thoroughly examined, will receive multidisciplinary help, and after three months their health condition will be reassessed.

PAP / Zbigniew Wojtasiński

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