What are the main symptoms of long COVID identified in the study?

Long COVID symptoms include brain fog, headache, dizziness, alteration of smell and taste, insomnia, and intense fatigue.

Did the app-based study find a linear recovery path for long COVID patients?

No, the study found that recovery from long COVID is not a linear road but rather a very bumpy one with frequent setbacks and improvements.

Who was less likely to improve from long COVID according to the study?

Women and individuals who experienced alteration to their sense of smell and taste were found to be less likely to improve from long COVID.

Home / Health / Long COVID's Bumpy Road: New Study Reveals Recovery Patterns

Long COVID's Bumpy Road: New Study Reveals Recovery Patterns

26 Jan

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Summary

Study shows recovery from long COVID is not linear but bumpy.
Women and those with smell/taste loss less likely to improve.
Symptom tracker app helps monitor long COVID patients' progress.

Long COVID's Bumpy Road: New Study Reveals Recovery Patterns

Six years into the pandemic, understanding long COVID's persistent effects remains a priority. A Northwestern Medicine clinic studied over 3,300 patients, identifying key recovery patterns through a dedicated mobile app. This app allowed patients to log daily symptoms and their perceived recovery percentage, integrating seamlessly with their medical records.

The study revealed that recovery is not a straightforward path. Of 63 patients tracked for three months, 43% showed improvement, while 57% did not. Those who improved experienced more fluctuations, including setbacks and progress, indicating a non-linear recovery journey. Cognitive function tests also showed better results for improving patients.

Further analysis highlighted demographic differences in recovery. Women were less likely to improve, potentially due to long COVID's suspected autoimmune triggers, as women are more prone to autoimmune diseases. Individuals who lost their sense of smell or taste also showed a lower likelihood of recovery.