Joint hypermobility linked to longer COVID-19 recovery time | Top Vip News

In a recent study published in BMJ Public Health, The researchers investigated whether generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), indicating variable connective tissue, was associated with failure to recover from self-reported severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Study: Is joint hypermobility related to self-reported non-recovery from COVID-19? British Biobank Case-Control Evidence from COVID Symptom Studies. Image Credit: BigBlueStudio/Shutterstock.com

Background

The long-term coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a serious therapeutic problem and public health burden, with symptoms ranging from fatigue and difficulty concentrating to muscle pain and difficulty breathing. To date, more than 200 symptoms have been associated with delayed recovery after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The potentially harmful effects associated with long COVID-19, combined with the prevalence of a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the general population, emphasize the importance of identifying factors that predispose an individual to long COVID.

Demographic variables such as age and female gender, as well as pre-existing health conditions that limit activity or impairments such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, allergies, anxiety, depression, and pain back, increase the likelihood of prolonged COVID-19.

Recent research has identified that joint hypermobility contributes to incomplete recovery after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, more research is needed to elucidate the etiology of long COVID and identify cost-effective and timely therapies for patients.

About the study

In the present prospective observational study, researchers investigate whether generalized joint hypermobility is related to an increased risk of not fully recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

To this end, researchers examined data from the UK COVID-19 Symptom Study Biobank (CSSB), linked to demographic information, COVID-19 reports, and symptom ratings from the COVID Symptom Study digital app. -19 from ZOE Global. Researchers from Massachusetts Hospital, Uppsala and Lund Universities, and King’s College London created the mobile app.

During August 2022, 81% of respondents experienced at least one COVID-19-related illness and self-reported their recovery status. All study participants completed a five-component Hakim and Grahame Questionnaire (5PQ) to determine generalized joint hypermobility.

The main outcome of the investigation was the lack of self-documented recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondary outcomes included 5PQ scores and self-reported fatigue levels.

Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether generalized joint hypermobility predicted non-recovery after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, educational level, and COVID-19 vaccines received were considered potential variables in the sequential models.

Linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between generalized joint hypermobility and fatigue. Additionally, mediation studies using the Hayes technique allowed researchers to explore possible mediation of the association between generalized joint hypermobility and lack of recovery from COVID-19 through fatigue levels.

Study findings

Among 3,064 people who reported at least one SARS-CoV-2-related infection, data on self-documented recovery from COVID-19 was accessible for 2,854 participants, 82% of whom were women and 97% identified as white. , with an average age. 58 years old.

Among the 32% of the study cohort who reported incomplete recovery from acute COVID-19, 269 people exhibited generalized joint hypermobility, 29% of whom were women. Among recovered individuals, 439 of 1,940 patients experienced generalized joint hypermobility.

Generalized joint hypermobility was not significantly associated with reported risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, joint hypermobility was strongly associated with incomplete recovery from acute COVID-19, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.4. This association persisted in sequential model studies controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, multiple deprivation index, and COVID-19 vaccination doses received with an OR of 1.3.

Hypermobility also strongly predicted higher levels of fatigue in models that controlled for all factors. Fatigue levels influenced the relationship between generalized joint hypermobility and lack of recovery from COVID-19.

Conclusions

The study findings indicate that people with generalized joint hypermobility are 30% more likely to not recover from acute COVID-19. These observations provide critical information needed to identify long COVID phenotypes for screening, appropriate patient triage, and implementation of personalized treatments.

Taken together, the current study emphasizes the importance of stratified individualized medical care for people, influencing policies and interdisciplinary services for people with long-term COVID and related diseases. These findings also have implications for clinical practice, future research, and population healthcare, including precision techniques.

There remains an urgent need to investigate the predisposing variables and comorbidities associated with joint hypermobility. Future research is also needed to explore the role of pre-existing conditions as potential risk factors, particularly those related to numerous physical symptoms, including larger sample sizes, more diverse populations, and a long and strict definition of COVID to improve generalizability and validity of the study findings.