New Study Identifies Key Predictors of Post-COVID Fatigue and Cognitive Trajectories
Our latest research, published in the Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine, offers new insights into the long-term trajectories of post-COVID fatigue and cognitive deficits. The study marks a significant step forward in understanding the recovery process from these long-lasting symptoms.
Utilizing data from the COVIDOM / NAPKON-POP cohort in Germany, our team tracked the health outcomes of 3,038 individuals from 6 to over 18 months post-COVID infection. Initial assessments showed that 21% of participants suffered from clinically relevant fatigue and 23% experienced cognitive deficits. Encouragingly, our follow-up revealed considerable improvements, with about half of the patients recovering over time.
Our findings also pinpoint several key predictors for the likelihood of recovery. For fatigue, a higher burden of depressive symptoms and headaches at baseline were linked to reduced recovery chances. Regarding cognitive deficits, general sociodemographic factors (being male, of older age, and having less than 12 years of education), but no COVID-specific factors emerged as significant predictors of non-recovery.
This research not only provides important data for public health care planning, but also lays the groundwork for targeted treatment and prevention.
You can read the paper here [PDF]