Abstract:
Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) describes a persistent complex of symptoms following a COVID-19 episode, lasting at least 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the specific criteria used for its definition. It is often associated with moderate to severe impairments of daily life and represents a major burden for many people worldwide. However, especially during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, therapeutic and diagnostic uncertainties were prominent due to the novelty of the disease and non-specific definitions that overlooked functional deficits and lacked objective assessment. The present work comprehensively examines the status of PCS definitions as depicted in recent reviews and meta-analyses, alongside exploring associated symptoms and functional impairments. We searched the database Pubmed for reviews and meta-analysis evaluating PCS in the period between May 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023. Out of 95 studies, 33 were selected for inclusion in our analyses. Furthermore, we extended upon prior research by systematically recording the symptoms linked with PCS as identified in the studies. We found that fatigue, neurological complaints, and exercise intolerance were the most frequently reported symptoms. In conclusion, over the past eighteen months, there has been a notable increase in quantity and quality of research studies on PCS. However, there still remains a clear need for improvement, particularly with regard to the definition of the symptoms necessary for diagnosing this syndrome. Enhancing this aspect will render future research more comparable and precise, thereby advancing and understanding PCS.
摘要:
新冠肺炎发作后综合征(PCS)描述了一种持续的症状复合物,持续至少4到12周,根据其定义所使用的具体标准。它通常与日常生活的中度至重度损害有关,并代表了全世界许多人的主要负担。然而,特别是在COVID-19大流行的头两年,由于疾病的新颖性和忽略功能缺陷和缺乏客观评估的非特异性定义,治疗和诊断的不确定性突出.本工作全面检查了最近的综述和荟萃分析中描述的PCS定义的状态,同时探索相关症状和功能障碍。我们在Pubmed数据库中搜索了2022年5月31日至2023年12月31日期间评估PCS的评论和荟萃分析。在95项研究中,33人被选中纳入我们的分析。此外,我们通过系统地记录研究中确定的与PCS相关的症状来扩展之前的研究.我们发现疲劳,神经系统疾病,运动不耐受是最常见的症状。总之,在过去的十八个月里,PCS研究的数量和质量显着增加。然而,仍然有明显的改进需求,特别是关于诊断该综合征所必需的症状的定义。加强这方面将使未来的研究更具可比性和精确性,从而推进和理解PCS。