Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 27, 2024 3 months, 2 days, 17 hours, 6 minutes ago
Medical News:
Yale Researchers Shed Light on a Distressing Long COVID Symptom
Long COVID continues to baffle scientists with its wide array of symptoms, but a new study from researchers at Yale School of Medicine and several other institutions has highlighted an especially troubling condition: internal tremors and vibrations. This
Medical News report explores the study's key findings, providing a clear and accessible explanation for those without a medical background.
Internal tremors and vibrations in long COVID
What Are Internal Tremors and Vibrations?
Internal tremors and vibrations are sensations of movement inside the body, often described as a buzzing or vibrating feeling that occurs without visible external movement. Previously, these symptoms were mainly associated with conditions like Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. However, this study reveals that they are also a significant symptom of long COVID.
The Study: An Overview
The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Yale School of Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital-USA, Avocet Consulting LLC, and other institutions. They aimed to compare the characteristics of long COVID patients experiencing internal tremors and vibrations with those who do not.
Participants and Methodology
The study involved 423 adults with long COVID, who were part of the Listen to Immune, Symptom, and Treatment Experiences Now (LISTEN) study, a decentralized digital research platform. Participants completed surveys about their demographics, socioeconomic status, pre-pandemic health conditions, and current long COVID symptoms.
Key Findings: A Severe Phenotype of Long COVID
The researchers found that 37% of participants reported experiencing internal tremors or vibrations. These individuals had a median age of 46 years, with a majority being female (81%) and non-Hispanic White (87%). They reported worse health outcomes and quality of life compared to those without these symptoms.
Worse Quality of Life and Financial Strain
Participants with internal tremors scored lower on the Euro-QoL visual analogue scale (a measure of health status) with a median score of 40 points compared to 50 points in those without tremors. They also reported higher levels of financial difficulties due to the pandemic, with 22% experiencing significant financial strain compared to 11% of those without tremors.
Higher Rates of New-Onset Conditions
The study highlighted that individuals with internal tremors had higher rates of new-onset conditions, including:
-Mast cell disorders: 11% compared to 2.6%
-Neurologic conditions: 22% compared to 8.3%
-Anxiety disorders: 20% compared to 8.7%
-Trauma- and stressor-related disorders: 12% compared to 3.4%
Social Isolation and Housing I
nsecurity
Social factors also played a significant role in the experiences of those with internal tremors. They reported feeling socially isolated more frequently (43% vs. 37%) and faced higher rates of housing insecurity (18% vs. 8.3%).
Important Symptoms for Differentiating Patients
The study utilized machine learning models to identify key symptoms that differentiate patients with internal tremors from those without. The most important symptoms included:
-Tremors or shakiness
-Floaters or flashes of light in vision
-Hair loss
-Tingling, pins, and needles, and numbness
-Sharp or sudden chest pain
-Tinnitus or humming in ears
Implications for Understanding Long COVID
This research provides important insights into a severe phenotype of long COVID. Understanding these symptoms can help healthcare providers better diagnose and treat patients suffering from this distressing condition. It also underscores the need for continued research into the diverse manifestations of long COVID to develop effective treatments.
Conclusion
The study by Yale researchers and their colleagues reveals that internal tremors and vibrations are common and severe symptoms of long COVID, significantly impacting patients' quality of life and health. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing this condition in long COVID patients.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: The American Journal of Medicine.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002934324004704
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