Post-COVID—More than chronic fatigue?

Abstract

After the first COVID-19 survivors were medically treated in Germany from spring 2020 onwards, various courses of the disease emerged that, in addition to the acute infection, led to prolonged symptoms (long COVID), but also to a symptomatic course beyond 12 weeks, which is referred to as “post-COVID syndrome” (PCS). Currently, the incidence of PCS is estimated to be approximately 15% of all symptomatically infected patients, although over- or underestimations may occur due to the soft definition and lack of control groups. The etiology of PCS is currently unknown. The following pathogenetic processes are discussed in particular: an endothelial dysfunction with microcirculatory disturbances and subsequent organ damage, a residual virus or virus particles, and/or an excessive autoimmune process. Due to the large number of organs that may be affected, PCS presents as a very complex clinical picture with up to 200 described symptoms. An evidence-based causal therapy for PCS has not yet been established. The guideline-based inpatient rehabilitation measures adapted to the individual patient resources have proven to be an effective therapy and should therefore be involved in the therapeutic concept at an early stage. Post-COVID syndrome is a multicomplex disease that can have a considerable impact on the quality of life, but also on the professional performance of the affected patients. Thus, it is clearly more than just a chronic fatigue syndrome. In the interest of our patients, treating physicians should take this disease seriously, clarify the differential diagnoses, and provide sensitive therapeutic care.