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Laboratory profiling of patients with long COVID in the Brazilian Amazon region: A cross-sectional study
Vanessa Costa Alves Galúcio1, Daniel Carvalho de Menezes1, Elem Cristina Rodrigues Chaves1
1Centre for Biological Health Sciences, State University of Pará (UEPA), Belém, Brazil.
Insights
Long COVID patients in the Brazilian Amazon show persistent laboratory abnormalities. Hospitalization during acute COVID-19 correlates with these long-term effects, impacting various health profiles.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Long coronavirus disease (COVID) involves persistent symptoms post-acute COVID-19.
- Understanding long COVID's systemic impact is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the laboratory risk profile of long COVID patients in the Brazilian Amazon.
- To elucidate systemic interactions associated with persistent symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Observational cross-sectional study of 332 long COVID patients.
- Comprehensive laboratory analysis of hematological, coagulation, immunological, metabolic, hepatic, renal, and muscular profiles.
- Analysis of associations between acute phase hospitalization and laboratory findings.
Main Results:
- Significant associations found between acute hospitalization and persistent laboratory abnormalities.
- Patients with long COVID >1 year showed elevated monocytes, prolonged prothrombin times, reduced prothrombin activity, high lactate dehydrogenase, and increased C-reactive protein.
- Persistent symptoms were observed for up to 1261 days.
Conclusions:
- Long COVID presents a distinct laboratory risk profile, particularly in the Amazon region.
- Acute COVID-19 severity, indicated by hospitalization, may predict long-term laboratory abnormalities.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and long-term implications of these findings.
Abstract:
The condition commonly referred to as long coronavirus disease (COVID) is characterized by the continuation of symptoms, sometimes accompanied by new symptoms that persist after the resolution of acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This observational cross-sectional study investigated 332 patients with long COVID in the Brazilian Amazon region. The study aimed to elucidate the systemic interactions associated with long COVID by compiling the findings related to hematological, coagulation, immunological, metabolic, hepatic, renal, and muscular profiles. Participants with long COVID were identified using rigorous criteria and underwent thorough laboratory examinations. The obtained data were subsequently analyzed, allowing for comparisons, associations, and correlations between findings within distinct groups in the study. Significant associations were observed between hospitalization during the acute phase and persistent laboratory abnormalities, suggesting a potential link between acute severity and long-term effects. Notably, individuals with long COVID for over a year exhibited elevated levels of monocytes, prolonged prothrombin times, reduced prothrombin activity, high levels of lactate dehydrogenase, and an increased frequency of qualitative C-reactive protein detection. This study provides valuable insights into the laboratory risk profile of patients with long COVID, particularly in the unique context of the Amazon region, where patients exhibit persistent symptoms lasting up to 1261 days.
