Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Jun 11, 2024 19:43:43 GMT
Clinical and Functional Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Sequelae Among Young Marines - Preprint Posted: 6 Jun 2024
Abstract
Introduction: Long-term SARS-CoV-2 adverse health outcomes are of significant concern, especially among young adults with the potential for the greatest long-term morbidity.
Methods: We used a cohort of US Marines from a previous longitudinal, prospective observational study of acute SARS-CoV-2, most of whom were enrolled prior to infection. A panel study was established to assess for post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), defined as symptoms at least 4 weeks after symptom onset or diagnosis. Symptoms were assessed through questionnaires and validated quality of health metrics. Periodic US Marine Corps fitness testing metrics provided an additional standardized functional assessment and were compared to a pre-pandemic cohort.
Results: A total of 197/798 (24.7%) study participants developed PASC. Among these, the most prevalent symptoms were loss of taste and/or smell (n=82; 41.6%), shortness of breath (n=74; 37.6%), and cough (n=45; 22.8%). Those with PASC had higher rates and severity of somatic (p<0.001), general depressive (p<0.001), and anxiety (p=0.005) symptoms. Compared to a historic cohort of Marines, participants with PASC scored worse on their physical fitness assessments due to slower run times (p=0.002). Those with PASC continued to have decreased physical performance one year after completing initial training.
Discussion: In this population of healthy young adult US Marines with mostly either asymptomatic or mild acute COVID-19, one fourth reported physical, cognitive, or psychiatric long-term sequelae of infection. The Marines affected with PASC showed evidence of long-term decrease in functional performance suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection may negatively affect health for a significant proportion of young adults.
Funding: This study was funded by a grant (9700130) from the Defense Health Agency to the Naval Medical Research Center and by contract number N6600119C4022 from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Declaration of Interest: There are no conflicts of interest among any of the authors.
Ethical Approval: This study was approved by the ethical review committees of the Naval Medical Research Command, Silver Spring, MD (NMRC.2021.0004) in compliance with all Federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects. All participants provided written informed consent.
Keywords: Long COVID, asomnia, symptoms,
Abstract
Introduction: Long-term SARS-CoV-2 adverse health outcomes are of significant concern, especially among young adults with the potential for the greatest long-term morbidity.
Methods: We used a cohort of US Marines from a previous longitudinal, prospective observational study of acute SARS-CoV-2, most of whom were enrolled prior to infection. A panel study was established to assess for post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), defined as symptoms at least 4 weeks after symptom onset or diagnosis. Symptoms were assessed through questionnaires and validated quality of health metrics. Periodic US Marine Corps fitness testing metrics provided an additional standardized functional assessment and were compared to a pre-pandemic cohort.
Results: A total of 197/798 (24.7%) study participants developed PASC. Among these, the most prevalent symptoms were loss of taste and/or smell (n=82; 41.6%), shortness of breath (n=74; 37.6%), and cough (n=45; 22.8%). Those with PASC had higher rates and severity of somatic (p<0.001), general depressive (p<0.001), and anxiety (p=0.005) symptoms. Compared to a historic cohort of Marines, participants with PASC scored worse on their physical fitness assessments due to slower run times (p=0.002). Those with PASC continued to have decreased physical performance one year after completing initial training.
Discussion: In this population of healthy young adult US Marines with mostly either asymptomatic or mild acute COVID-19, one fourth reported physical, cognitive, or psychiatric long-term sequelae of infection. The Marines affected with PASC showed evidence of long-term decrease in functional performance suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection may negatively affect health for a significant proportion of young adults.
Funding: This study was funded by a grant (9700130) from the Defense Health Agency to the Naval Medical Research Center and by contract number N6600119C4022 from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Declaration of Interest: There are no conflicts of interest among any of the authors.
Ethical Approval: This study was approved by the ethical review committees of the Naval Medical Research Command, Silver Spring, MD (NMRC.2021.0004) in compliance with all Federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects. All participants provided written informed consent.
Keywords: Long COVID, asomnia, symptoms,