Symptom response and episodic disability of long COVID in people with spinal cord injury: A case-control study

PLOS ONE, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304824 · Published: June 28, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury COVID-19 Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study looked at the impact of long COVID on people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in Bangladesh. Long COVID can cause persistent symptoms after a COVID-19 infection. The study compared 20 SCI patients with long COVID to 20 SCI patients without long COVID to see what symptoms were present and how long COVID affected their daily lives. The research found that long COVID worsened the disability and health issues already experienced by people with SCI, affecting their physical and mental well-being.

Study Duration

July and December 2021, July and August 2023

Participants

40 patients with SCI (20 with long COVID symptoms, 20 without)

Evidence Level

Level 3: Case-control study

Key Findings

1
Twelve long COVID symptoms were observed in SCI patients, including fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, memory loss, and respiratory problems.
2
Increasing age, higher BMI, and longer duration of spinal cord injury were predictors of developing long COVID in SCI patients.
3
SCI patients with long COVID experienced a significant disease burden, with a greater loss of healthy life years due to disability compared to those without long COVID.

Research Summary

This case-control study investigated the symptom response and disease burden of long COVID in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Bangladesh. The study identified 12 long COVID symptoms in SCI patients and found that increasing age, BMI, and duration of SCI were predictors of developing long COVID. The findings highlight the significant disease burden experienced by SCI patients with long COVID, emphasizing the need for tailored rehabilitation protocols.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Protocols

The study suggests the need for specific rehabilitation protocols for individuals with SCI and long COVID to address their unique needs.

Risk Factor Management

Managing risk factors such as BMI and monitoring the duration of SCI may help mitigate the impact of long COVID.

Healthcare Attention

Bangladeshi individuals with a spinal cord injury who had LCS experienced a substantial disease burden in comparison of non-long COVID cases, necessitating additional medical attention.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample population from a single rehabilitation hospital.
2
Stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria leading to a limited number of eligible participants.
3
Lack of clear prognosis of SCI with long COVID making it difficult to establish homogenous data.

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