Post-COVID Neurological Symptoms & Weight
- People with obesity or overweight may face a greater risk of long-term neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms after a COVID-19 infection, according to a new study.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that individuals with underlying health issues, including obesity and overweight, are more susceptible to developing PCC, a condition marked...
- Researchers analyzed 18 studies involving 139,091 adults to determine if excess weight correlated with neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms in PCC patients.
A new study unveils a critical link: excess weight may heighten the risk of long-term neurological symptoms following a COVID-19 infection. Researchers meticulously analyzed data from nearly 140,000 adults, revealing significant associations between obesity, overweight, and the manifestation of persistent neurological issues. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the complex interplay between the primary_keyword and the experience of secondary_keyword known as long COVID. Specifically, the research highlighted connections between weight and symptoms such as persistent headache, memory problems, sleep disturbances, and vertigo. Débora Barbosa Ronca suggests the link could be tied to an exaggerated inflammatory response. News Directory 3 is dedicated to bringing the latest research to your attention. So, what does this mean for treatment strategies and patient care? Discover what’s next …
Study Links Obesity, Overweight to Neurological Long COVID Symptoms
People with obesity or overweight may face a greater risk of long-term neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms after a COVID-19 infection, according to a new study. The research,published in PLoS One,examined the connection between excess weight and post-COVID-19 condition (PCC),also known as long COVID.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that individuals with underlying health issues, including obesity and overweight, are more susceptible to developing PCC, a condition marked by chronic disability and symptoms lasting months or even years.
Researchers analyzed 18 studies involving 139,091 adults to determine if excess weight correlated with neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms in PCC patients. the review included 79,050 individuals with excess weight and 30,694 with obesity.
The study found that excess weight in PCC patients was significantly associated with persistent depression, headache, memory issues, sleep disturbance, and vertigo. Obesity, specifically, showed meaningful links to persistent headache, numbness, smell and taste disorders, and vertigo.
Débora Barbosa Ronca, a visiting PhD scholar, noted the consistency of findings across various neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms. She suggested the link between excess weight and PCC could involve an exaggerated inflammatory response due to fatty tissue,potentially aiding virus entry and prolonging its presence in the body.
“These symptoms of long COVID can significantly impact quality of life and may linger for months,” Ronca said.
Ronca emphasized the need for research into disease characteristics to aid in treatment progress,given that many PCC patients experience symptoms for 12 months or longer.
What’s next
The study underscores the importance of personalized and multidisciplinary care strategies to support individuals affected by long COVID, mental health issues, and rising rates of obesity. Pharmacists should be aware that patients with obesity or overweight who contract SARS-cov-2 might be at higher risk for developing PCC and should monitor them accordingly.