Golzardi, M.; Hromić-Jahjefendić, A.; Šutković, J.; Aydin, O.; Ünal-Aydın, P.; Bećirević, T.; Redwan, E.M.; Rubio-Casillas, A.; Uversky, V.N. The Aftermath of COVID-19: Exploring the Long-Term Effects on Organ Systems. Biomedicines2024, 12, 913.
Golzardi, M.; Hromić-Jahjefendić, A.; Šutković, J.; Aydin, O.; Ünal-Aydın, P.; Bećirević, T.; Redwan, E.M.; Rubio-Casillas, A.; Uversky, V.N. The Aftermath of COVID-19: Exploring the Long-Term Effects on Organ Systems. Biomedicines 2024, 12, 913.
Golzardi, M.; Hromić-Jahjefendić, A.; Šutković, J.; Aydin, O.; Ünal-Aydın, P.; Bećirević, T.; Redwan, E.M.; Rubio-Casillas, A.; Uversky, V.N. The Aftermath of COVID-19: Exploring the Long-Term Effects on Organ Systems. Biomedicines2024, 12, 913.
Golzardi, M.; Hromić-Jahjefendić, A.; Šutković, J.; Aydin, O.; Ünal-Aydın, P.; Bećirević, T.; Redwan, E.M.; Rubio-Casillas, A.; Uversky, V.N. The Aftermath of COVID-19: Exploring the Long-Term Effects on Organ Systems. Biomedicines 2024, 12, 913.
Abstract
Background: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) is a complicated disease that affects millions of people all over the world. Previous studies have shown that PASC impacts 10% of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients of which 50-70% are hospitalized. It has also been shown that 10-12% of those vaccinated against COVID-19 were affected with PASC and its complications. The severity and the later development of PASC symptoms is positively associated with the early intensity of the infection. Results: The generated health complications caused by PASC involve a vast variety of organ systems. Patients affected by PASC have been diagnosed with neuropsychiatric and neurological symptoms. Cardiovascular system also has been involved and several diseases such as myocarditis, pericarditis, and coronary artery diseases were reported. Chronic hematological problems such as thrombotic endothelialitis and hypercoagulability were described as a condition that could increase the risk of clotting disorders and coagulopathy in PASC patients. Chest pain, breathlessness, and cough in PASC patients were associated with respiratory system in long COVID-19 causing respiratory distress syndrome. The observed immune complications were notable, involving several diseases. Renal system also was impacted and result in raising the risk of diseases such as thrombotic issues, fibrosis, and sepsis. Endocrine gland malfunction can lead to diabetes, thyroiditis, and male infertility. Symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite and taste were also among reported observations due to several gastrointestinal disorders. Skin abnormalities might be an indication of infection and long-term implications such as persistent cutaneous complaints were linked to PASC. Conclusions: Long COVID is a multidimensional syndrome with considerable public health implications, affecting several physiological systems and demanding thorough medical therapy as well as more study to address its underlying causes and long-term effects.
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2; long-COVID; organ systems
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Pathology and Pathobiology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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