U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is launching several studies to test potential treatments for long-term sequelae caused by COVID, an eagerly awaited step in the United States’ efforts against it. Mysterious condition affecting millions,
Monday’s announcement Project recover The $1.15 billion from NIH comes amid frustration from patients who have been battling long-term sometimes disabling health problems with no proven treatments and only a few rigorous studies.
“Although it has been delayed by a year or two, and its scope is smaller than expected, it is a step in the right direction”, said Dr. Ziad Al-Ali of Washington University in St. Louis, who is not involved in the NIH project but whose research has shed light on the cost of the so-called ,covid prolonged,,
Getting answers is important, he added, because “There are many people who take advantage of the vulnerability of patients” with unproven treatments.
Scientists still don’t know what causes Long Covid, a term that includes about 200 widely varying symptoms.
It is estimated that 10% to 30% of people who have recovered from infection experience some type of sequelae from the coronavirus, a risk that has decreased somewhat since the start of the pandemic.
“If I get 10 people, I’ll get 10 answers on how long Covid really lasts” United States Secretary of Health Javier Becerra said.
Initiative recover Observational studies followed 24,000 patients to help define the most common and bothersome symptoms, findings that are now shaping treatment trials on several fronts.
Some of the studies to be done will address cases of brain fog and other cognitive problems, sleep disorders, autonomic nervous system problems. (which controls unconscious actions like breathing and heartbeat) Including a disorder called POTS.
A more controversial study on exercise intolerance and fatigue is also planned.
Trials are currently enrolling 300 to 900 adult participants, but there is potential for growth. Unlike typical experiments that test one treatment at a time, these more flexible “platform studies” will allow the NIH to add additional potential treatments on an ongoing basis.
