Langdurige Covid: de contouren worden langzaam duidelijk

Abstract

Long Covid: what is already known about this new condition? Long COVID affects people who have experienced a severe form of COVID-19, as well as patients who suffered a mild form. Six months after infection with the coronavirus, at least 1 out of 7 patients still have symptoms. These symptoms are very diverse and are probably related to a combination of different mechanisms: direct organ damage due to the viral infection, abnormal immune and inflammatory responses that can lead to dysfunctions on several levels (microcirculation, coagulation, fibrosis, autoimmunity, metabolism), consequences of the hospitalisation (muscle atrophy, post-intensive care syndrome) or worsening of existing comorbidities. The Belgian Healthcare Knowledge Centre (KCE) surveyed the experience of Belgian patients by means of an extensive online survey of 1,320 people, followed by an online forum and in-depth interviews. It showed that the perception of the symptoms was very diverse, with a clear reduction in the quality of life, some loss of autonomy and difficulties when returning to work. The psychological consequences could be severe. Based on the current state of science, it is not known which treatments are effective for long COVID. A symptom-oriented approach, focused on gradual multidisciplinary rehabilitation, seems appropriate. Therefore, the main recommendation of the KCE is to investigate the possibility of introducing an ‘interdisciplinary bilan’ for patients with different and interrelated complaints.