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MHH research group is looking for suitable therapies for people with post-COVID syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome of other causes.
The pandemic casts a long shadow: Even years after COVID-19, thousands of people in Germany continue to suffer from the health consequences of the disease. Post COVID syndrome manifests itself in many different symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is a persistent state of physical and mental exhaustion. Experts speak of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) when certain criteria are met. The disease can be so severe that those affected have no strength to actively participate in life. Some are even bedridden. A study led by the Department of Neurology with Clinical Neurophysiology at Hannover Medical School (MHH) is focusing on this group of patients. The project, called ACCESS, aims to help develop care services for people with a particularly severe form of post-COVID syndrome or ME/CFS.
Determining the number of people affected
It is unclear how many people in Germany are affected by the severe form of post-COVID syndrome. “So far there are only estimates. According to these estimates, around ten percent of people who have had a coronavirus infection develop post-COVID syndrome. Ultimately, it is not yet known how high the proportion of the particularly severe form is,” explains ACCESS project manager Dr. Meike Dirks from the Department of Neurology. The first part of the project will therefore investigate how frequently the severe variant of post-COVID syndrome or ME/CFS occurs. The aim is also to distinguish the chronic fatigue associated with post-COVID syndrome from other causes. This is because infections with the Epstein-Barr virus or influenza can also lead to ME/CFS.
Focus on the seriously ill
“Our target group is patients who are so severely affected by post-COVID syndrome or ME/CFS that they cannot leave the house and therefore cannot visit a doctor's surgery,” explains Professor Dr. Karin Weissenborn, who is coordinating the project together with Dr. Dirks. In the second part of the project, a team of doctors - consisting of specialists in neurology, internal medicine and psychosomatics - will visit 100 affected people at home to examine and question them thoroughly.In addition, laboratory diagnostic tests are initiated. “Based on all the results, we then develop individual treatment plans for the patients together with the GPs looking after them,” says Dr. Dirks.
Caregivers and general practitioners also involved
Close collaboration between the research team and the patients is not the only important aspect of ACCESS. The general practitioners and caregivers are also key players in the project. This is because the majority of the patients studied are followed through their treatment for a year. The research team is investigating two different approaches. In both groups, the treatment plan is determined at the beginning of the study. In addition, the general practitioners, caregivers and patients are interviewed every three months. In one group, the patients and carers also receive close support: every month, they are given the opportunity to make an online visit with the specialists to implement the treatment plan. “At the end of the twelve months, we determine whether and how the situation has changed,” explains Dr. Dirks.
For example, the researchers are interested in whether the patient's symptoms have eased, their quality of life has improved and they are able to cope with everyday activities again. They also look at whether the burden on the caregivers has decreased.
The need for help is great
“With the ACCESS project, we are addressing a previously underserved patient group,” says Professor Weissenborn. Many of those affected are still looking for the right doctor and suitable treatment. However, due to the severity of their limitations, it is often not possible for them to visit a specialist outpatient clinic. “Our findings should help to improve the treatment situation for patients with post-COVID syndrome or ME/CFS,” emphasizes Dr Dirks. Preparations for the project are currently underway and ACCESS is due to start in the fall.
Interdisciplinary project
ACCESS stands for OutreACh MediCal Care for HousEbound Patients with Post-COVID Syndrome or ME/CFS of any cause. It is one of 30 new projects from the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) to “research and strengthen needs-based care for the long-term consequences of COVID-19 (Long COVID)”.These projects are being funded by the BMG with a total of 73 million euros.Of this, ACCESS will receive around 1.8 million euros over a period of four years. The following MHH institutions are involved in the project Department of Neurology with Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center for Internal Medicine, Institute of General Medicine and Palliative Medicine, Institute of Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Institute of Biometry, Research and Teaching Unit Medical Sociology.
SERVICE
For further information, please contact Dr. Meike Dirks, dirks.meike@mh-hannover.de.
ACCESS logo.
Copyright: ACCESS.
Many people suffer from Long COVID - the Federal Ministry of Health is funding 30 new projects to im ...
Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH.
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