idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Chronic fatigue and stress intolerance, cognitive complaints, a limited ability to work, and reduced quality of life: these are the findings of a large-scale, long-term study in Baden-Württemberg on suffering after a coronavirus infection. For EPILOC (Epidemiology of Long Covid), researchers at the university hospitals in Freiburg, Heidelberg, Tübingen and Ulm analysed more than 1,500 formerly infected people and found that two thirds of patients suffering from post-Covid syndrome have barely recovered in the second year of their illness. Despite worsened functional parameters, laboratory tests show almost no pathological findings.
Two years after infection with SARS-CoV-2, many of those affected continue to have significant, lasting symptoms. These include, for example, chronic tiredness, also known as fatigue, and rapid exhaustion, memory problems and concentration disorders as well as shortness of breath and chest pain. Inner restlessness, depression and sleep disorders are also common. This is shown by the results of the Epidemiology of Long Covid (EPILOC) study in the state of Baden-Württemberg, in which more than 1,500 formerly infected people aged 18 to 65 were examined in the post-Covid outpatient clinics of the state's university hospitals. The study results have now been published in the prestigious journal PLOS Medicine.
It became clear that more than two thirds of patients had barely recovered in the second year after their illness, and that they were still limited in their health-related quality of life and ability to work. Compared to control subjects, functional parameters such as hand grip strength, maximum oxygen consumption during exercise and respiratory efficiency as well as results in neurocognitive tests were impaired.
Despite these objective signs of reduced physical performance and cognitive deficits, almost all routine clinical laboratory tests showed no pathological findings. The laboratory results did not show any SARS-CoV-2 persistence (i.e. a persistent viral infection) or reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus, adrenal insufficiency or blood clotting disorders, as often described in other studies. Due to the high number of participants and the consideration of possible confounding factors (such as obesity or smoking) when comparing different groups, such correlations could be more clearly excluded. This is another important result of the study, the authors emphasise. Stress tests in the cardiopulmonary, muscular and nervous systems are necessary for a sound medical assessment.
Looking for the causes in a different direction
"The discrepancy between the functional test results, the subjective suffering of the patients and the many unremarkable routine laboratory parameters suggest that we need to look for the pathophysiological causes in a different direction," notes first author Dr Raphael Peter from the Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry at Ulm University. "In particular, neurometabolic and neuroinflammatory disorders, the role of skeletal muscle metabolism and dysfunctional respiration should be the focus of future research," says Dr Peter.
Study leader Professor Winfried Kern from the Department of Internal Medicine II at the University Medical Centre Freiburg adds: "It is alarming how many formerly infected people still have symptoms and limitations after two years. Systematic longer follow-up and medical examinations are needed to identify factors for improvement or non-recovery of post-Covid syndrome and relevant pathophysiological pathways more precisely. This is the only way to find and develop therapeutically effective intervention approaches."
Professor Dietrich Rothenbacher, Director of the Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry at Ulm University, explains: "We are delighted that our expertise in Ulm has enabled us to so successfully support the collaboration between the four university sites with competent data management and statistical-epidemiological analysis." The processing of the data shows which investigations could potentially make progress in further research into this complex symptomatology: "Those affected suffer greatly from the long-term consequences, and we urgently need to continue researching the causes." The scientists are currently evaluating further data and analysing the numerous biosamples from the EPILOC study using an extended methodology. They hope that this will provide them with urgently needed insights to better help people with post-Covid.
The current phase of the EPILOC study was funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg (MWK BW) with 2.3 million euros. The approximately 1,500 participants come from a group of more than 11,000 adults from all over Baden-Württemberg who had already been interviewed about their symptoms six to twelve months after the index infection in an initial study in cooperation with the health authorities. At that time, one in four reported symptoms such as fatigue, memory problems and concentration disorders, as well as shortness of breath and chest pain.
Dr Raphael Peter (first author), Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Mail: raphael.peter@uni-ulm.de, Tel. (0731) 50 31093
Prof Dr Winfried V. Kern (Study Director), Department of Infectiology, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Mail: EPILOC@uniklinik-freiburg.de, Tel. (0761) 270 18190
Peter RS, Nieters A, Göpel S, Merle U, Steinacker JM, Deibert P, et al. (2025): Persistent symptoms and clinical findings in adults with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19/post-COVID-19 syndrome in the second year after acute infection: A population-based, nested case-control study. PLoS Med 22(1): e1004511.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004511
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten, Studierende, Wirtschaftsvertreter, Wissenschaftler, jedermann
Biologie, Gesellschaft, Medizin
überregional
Forschungsergebnisse, Wissenschaftliche Publikationen
Englisch
Sie können Suchbegriffe mit und, oder und / oder nicht verknüpfen, z. B. Philo nicht logie.
Verknüpfungen können Sie mit Klammern voneinander trennen, z. B. (Philo nicht logie) oder (Psycho und logie).
Zusammenhängende Worte werden als Wortgruppe gesucht, wenn Sie sie in Anführungsstriche setzen, z. B. „Bundesrepublik Deutschland“.
Die Erweiterte Suche können Sie auch nutzen, ohne Suchbegriffe einzugeben. Sie orientiert sich dann an den Kriterien, die Sie ausgewählt haben (z. B. nach dem Land oder dem Sachgebiet).
Haben Sie in einer Kategorie kein Kriterium ausgewählt, wird die gesamte Kategorie durchsucht (z.B. alle Sachgebiete oder alle Länder).
