J. Niewolik, M. Mikuteit, S. Klawitter, D. Schröder, A. Stölting, K. Vahldiek, S. Heinemann, F. Müller, GMN. Behrens, F. Klawonn, A. Dopfer-Jablonka, S. Steffens
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The long-term symptoms of COVID-19 are the subject of public and scientific discussions. Understanding how those long COVID symptoms co-occur in clusters of syndromes may indicate the pathogenic mechanisms of long COVID. Our study objective was to cluster the different long COVID symptoms. We included persons who had a COVID-19 and assessed long-term symptoms (at least 4 weeks after first symptoms). Hierarchical clustering was applied to the symptoms as well as to the participants based on the Euclidean distance h of the log-values of the answers on symptom severity. The distribution of clusters within our cohort is shown in a heat map.
From September 2021 to November 2023, 2371 persons with persisting long COVID symptoms participated in the study. Self-assessed long COVID symptoms were assigned to three symptom clusters. Cluster A unites rheumatological and neurological symptoms, cluster B includes neuro-psychological symptoms together with cardiorespiratory symptoms, and a third cluster C shows an association of general infection signs, dermatological and otology symptoms. A high proportion of the participants (n = 1424) showed symptoms of all three clusters. Clustering of long COVID symptoms reveals similarities to the symptomatology of already described syndromes such as the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) or rheumatological autoinflammatory diseases. Further research may identify serological parameters or clinical risk factors associated with the shown clusters and might improve our understanding of long COVID as a systemic disease. Furthermore, multimodal treatments can be developed and scaled for symptom clusters and associated impairments.
期刊介绍:
IMMUNOLOGIC RESEARCH represents a unique medium for the presentation, interpretation, and clarification of complex scientific data. Information is presented in the form of interpretive synthesis reviews, original research articles, symposia, editorials, and theoretical essays. The scope of coverage extends to cellular immunology, immunogenetics, molecular and structural immunology, immunoregulation and autoimmunity, immunopathology, tumor immunology, host defense and microbial immunity, including viral immunology, immunohematology, mucosal immunity, complement, transplantation immunology, clinical immunology, neuroimmunology, immunoendocrinology, immunotoxicology, translational immunology, and history of immunology.