A recent study has revealed that one in every 20 individuals who have recovered from a Covid-19 infection experiences severe fatigue, clinically recognized as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
This research, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM), involved a cohort of 11,785 individuals and examined the incidence and prevalence of CFS following infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19.
While fatigue is a prevalent symptom during the acute phase of Covid-19, enduring fatigue that persists long after recovery is associated with what is commonly referred to as ‘Long Covid.’ Typical manifestations of Long Covid include profound fatigue, cognitive difficulties often described as brain fog, dizziness, and alterations in the senses of smell and taste. Additional symptoms may encompass headaches, persistent cough, and challenges with breathing and sleep. Although there is no universally accepted definition of Long Covid, individuals experiencing symptoms that extend for weeks or months post-infection are likely to be affected by this condition.
The JGIM study, led by Suzanne D Vernon, Research Director at the Bateman Horne Center, indicated that approximately 85 percent of Covid-19 patients reported fatigue six months following their infection, alongside other symptoms such as brain fog, dizziness, and unrefreshing sleep. Specifically concerning chronic fatigue syndrome, the study found that 4.5 percent of participants reported experiencing it six months after their Covid-19 infection, equating to one in 20 individuals.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the prevalence of CFS in the United States was estimated to be between 0.2 and 1.0 percent. The finding that 4.5 percent of individuals report CFS following Covid-19 suggests a significant increase likely triggered by the viral infection.
Individuals reporting CFS post-Covid-19 were also more inclined to experience chronic pain syndrome, neuromuscular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cognitive impairments or dementia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), dysautonomia or autonomic dysfunction, movement disorders, various mental health issues, and a need for supplemental oxygen at home, in comparison to those who had not contracted the virus.
The authors indicated that the reported 4.5 percent of individuals experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) following Covid-19 may be an underestimate. They pointed out that the study did not account for hospitalized patients. If these individuals had been included, given their severe conditions, the prevalence could have been greater.
Additionally, the authors emphasized that the study focused solely on patients from the Omicron period. Including individuals infected with earlier virus strains, such as the Delta variant that significantly impacted India during its second wave, might have resulted in higher prevalence rates, as those individuals generally experienced more severe illness.
