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Liviero F, Scapellato ML, Volpin A, Battistella M, Fabris L, Brischigliaro L, Folino F, Moretto A, Mason P, Pavanello S. Long term follow-up of heart rate variability in healthcare workers with mild COVID-19. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1403551. [PMID: 38827576 PMCID: PMC11141692 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1403551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Prior investigations into post-COVID dysautonomia often lacked control groups or compared affected individuals solely to healthy volunteers. In addition, no data on the follow-up of patients with SARS-CoV-2-related autonomic imbalance are available. Methods In this study, we conducted a comprehensive clinical and functional follow-up on healthcare workers (HCWs) with former mild COVID-19 (group 1, n = 67), to delineate the trajectory of post-acute autonomic imbalance, we previously detected in a case-control study. Additionally, we assessed HCWs for which a test before SARS-CoV-2 infection was available (group 2, n = 29), who later contracted SARS-CoV-2, aiming to validate findings from our prior case-control investigation. We evaluated autonomic nervous system heart modulation by means of time and frequency domain heart rate variability analysis (HRV) in HCWs during health surveillance visits. Short-term electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings, were obtained at about 6, 13 months and both at 6 and 13 months from the negative SARS-CoV-2 naso-pharyngeal swab (NPS) for group 1 and at about 1-month from the negative NPS for group 2. HCWs who used drugs, had comorbidities that affected HRV, or were hospitalized with severe COVID-19 were excluded. Results Group 1 was split into three subgroups clinically and functionally followed at, about 6 months (subgroup-A, n = 17), 13 months (subgroup-B, n = 37) and both at 6 and 13 months (subgroup-C, n = 13) from the negative SARS-CoV-2 NPS. In subgroup-A, at 6-month follow-up compared with baseline, the spectral components in the frequency domain HRV parameters, showed an increase in normalized high frequency power (nHF) (t = 2.99, p = 0.009), a decrease in the normalized low frequency power (nLF) (t = 2.98, p = 0.009) and in the LF/HF ratio (t = 3.13, p = 0.006). In subgroup B, the comparison of the spectral components in the frequency domain HRV parameters, at 13-month follow-up compared with baseline, showed an increase in nHF (t = 2.54, p = 0.02); a decrease in nLF (t = 2.62, p = 0.01) and in the LF/HF ratio (t = 4.00, p = 0.0003). In subgroup-C, at both 6 and 13-month follow-ups, the spectral components in the frequency domain HRV parameters were higher than baseline in nHF (t = 2.64, p = 0.02 and (t = 2.13, p = 0.05, respectively); lower in nLF (t = 2.64, p = 0.02 and (t = 2.13, p = 0.05, respectively), and in LF/HF (t = 1.92, p = 0.08 and (t = 2.43, p = 0.03, respectively). A significant proportion of HCWs reported persistent COVID-19 symptoms at both the 6 and 13-month follow-ups, seemingly unrelated to cardiac autonomic balance. In group 2 HCWs, at 1-month follow-up compared with baseline, the spectral components in the frequency domain HRV parameters, showed a decrease in nHF (t = 2.19, p = 0.04); an increase in nLF (t = 2.15, p = 0.04) and in LF/HF (t = 3.49, p = 0.002). Conclusion These results are consistent with epidemiological data suggesting a higher risk of acute cardiovascular complications during the first 30 days after COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 associated autonomic imbalance in the post-acute phase after recovery of mild COVID-19 resolved 6 months after the first negative SARS-CoV-2 NPS. However, a significant proportion of HCWs reported long-term COVID-19 symptoms, which dot not seems to be related to cardiac autonomic balance. Future research should certainly further test whether autonomic imbalance has a role in the mechanisms of long-COVID syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Liviero
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Scapellato
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Volpin
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Battistella
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Fabris
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Brischigliaro
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Franco Folino
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Angelo Moretto
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Mason
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sofia Pavanello
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Goldstein DS. Post-COVID dysautonomias: what we know and (mainly) what we don't know. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:99-113. [PMID: 38212633 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00917-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Following on from the COVID-19 pandemic is another worldwide public health challenge that is referred to variously as long COVID, post-COVID syndrome or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). PASC comes in many forms and affects all body organs. This heterogeneous presentation suggests involvement of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which has numerous roles in the maintenance of homeostasis and coordination of responses to various stressors. Thus far, studies of ANS dysregulation in people with PASC have been largely observational and descriptive, based on symptom inventories or objective but indirect measures of cardiovascular function, and have paid little attention to the adrenomedullary, hormonal and enteric nervous components of the ANS. Such investigations do not consider the syndromic nature of autonomic dysfunction. This Review provides an update on the literature relating to ANS abnormalities in people with post-COVID syndrome and presents a theoretical perspective on how the ANS might participate in common features of PASC.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Goldstein
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Shenoy PU, Udupa H, KS J, Babu S, K N, Jain N, Das R, Upadhyai P. The impact of COVID-19 on pulmonary, neurological, and cardiac outcomes: evidence from a Mendelian randomization study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1303183. [PMID: 38155884 PMCID: PMC10752946 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1303183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Long COVID is a clinical entity characterized by persistent health problems or development of new diseases, without an alternative diagnosis, following SARS-CoV-2 infection that affects a significant proportion of individuals globally. It can manifest with a wide range of symptoms due to dysfunction of multiple organ systems including but not limited to cardiovascular, hematologic, neurological, gastrointestinal, and renal organs, revealed by observational studies. However, a causal association between the genetic predisposition to COVID-19 and many post-infective abnormalities in long COVID remain unclear. Methods Here we employed Mendelian randomization (MR), a robust genetic epidemiological approach, to investigate the potential causal associations between genetic predisposition to COVID-19 and long COVID symptoms, namely pulmonary (pneumonia and airway infections including bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and rhinitis), neurological (headache, depression, and Parkinson's disease), cardiac (heart failure and chest pain) diseases, and chronic fatigue. Using two-sample MR, we leveraged genetic data from a large COVID-19 genome-wide association study and various disorder-specific datasets. Results This analysis revealed that a genetic predisposition to COVID-19 was significantly causally linked to an increased risk of developing pneumonia, airway infections, headache, and heart failure. It also showed a strong positive correlation with chronic fatigue, a frequently observed symptom in long COVID patients. However, our findings on Parkinson's disease, depression, and chest pain were inconclusive. Conclusion Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the genetic underpinnings of long COVID and its diverse range of symptoms. Understanding these causal associations may aid in better management and treatment of long COVID patients, thereby alleviating the substantial burden it poses on global health and socioeconomic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja U. Shenoy
- Division of Data Analytics, Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Hrushikesh Udupa
- Department of Community Medicine, Yenepoya Medical College and Hospital, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Jyothika KS
- Department of Statistics, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Sangeetha Babu
- Department of Statistics, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Nikshita K
- Department of Statistics, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Neha Jain
- Department of Statistics, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Ranajit Das
- Division of Data Analytics, Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Priyanka Upadhyai
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Liviero F, Volpin A, Furlan P, Battistella M, Broggio A, Fabris L, Favretto F, Mason P, Cocchio S, Cozzolino C, Baldo V, Moretto A, Scapellato ML. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on healthcare workers of a large University Hospital in the Veneto Region: risk of infection and clinical presentation in relation to different pandemic phases and some relevant determinants. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1250911. [PMID: 38098828 PMCID: PMC10720910 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1250911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the prevalence of COVID-19-related symptoms in relation to pandemic phases and some relevant variables in a cohort of 8,029 HCWs from one of the largest Italian University Hospitals. Methods A single-center retrospective study was performed on data collected during SARS-CoV-2 infection surveillance of HCWs. Cox's multiple regression was performed to estimate hazard ratios of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Logistic multivariate regression was used to assess the risk of asymptomatic infections and the onset of the most frequent symptoms. All analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic and occupational factors, pandemic phases, vaccination status, and previous infections. Results A total of 3,760 HCWs resulted positive (2.0%-18.6% across five study phases). The total incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 7.31 cases per 10,000 person-days, significantly lower in phase 1 and higher in phases 4 and 5, compared to phase 3. Younger HCWs, healthcare personnel, and unvaccinated subjects showed a higher risk of infection. Overall, 24.5% were asymptomatic infections, with a higher probability for men, physicians, and HCWs tested for screening, fully vaccinated, and those with previous infection. The clinical presentation changed over the phases in relation to vaccination status and the emergence of new variants. Conclusion The screening activities of HCWs allowed for the early detection of asymptomatic cases, limiting the epidemic clusters inside the hospital wards. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination reduced infections and symptomatic cases, demonstrating again its paramount value as a preventive tool for occupational and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Liviero
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Volpin
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Furlan
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Battistella
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessia Broggio
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Fabris
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Favretto
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Mason
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Cocchio
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Preventive Medicine and Risk Assessment Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia Cozzolino
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Baldo
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Preventive Medicine and Risk Assessment Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Angelo Moretto
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Scapellato
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Marques KC, Quaresma JAS, Falcão LFM. Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in "Long COVID": pathophysiology, heart rate variability, and inflammatory markers. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1256512. [PMID: 37719983 PMCID: PMC10502909 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1256512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Long COVID is characterized by persistent signs and symptoms that continue or develop for more than 4 weeks after acute COVID-19 infection. Patients with Long COVID experience a cardiovascular autonomic imbalance known as dysautonomia. However, the underlying autonomic pathophysiological mechanisms behind this remain unclear. Current hypotheses include neurotropism, cytokine storms, and inflammatory persistence. Certain immunological factors indicate autoimmune dysfunction, which can be used to identify patients at a higher risk of Long COVID. Heart rate variability can indicate autonomic imbalances in individuals suffering from Long COVID, and measurement is a non-invasive and low-cost method for assessing cardiovascular autonomic modulation. Additionally, biochemical inflammatory markers are used for diagnosing and monitoring Long COVID. These inflammatory markers can be used to improve the understanding of the mechanisms driving the inflammatory response and its effects on the sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways of the autonomic nervous system. Autonomic imbalances in patients with Long COVID may result in lower heart rate variability, impaired vagal activity, and substantial sympathovagal imbalance. New research on this subject must be encouraged to enhance the understanding of the long-term risks that cardiovascular autonomic imbalances can cause in individuals with Long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juarez Antônio Simões Quaresma
- Center for Biological Health Sciences, State University of Pará (UEPA), Belém, Brazil
- School of Medicine, São Paulo University (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Tropical Medicine Center, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fábio Magno Falcão
- Center for Biological Health Sciences, State University of Pará (UEPA), Belém, Brazil
- School of Medicine, São Paulo University (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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