A Northwestern University study has shed light on the unpredictable nature of recovery from long COVID-19, a condition that affects millions worldwide. Researchers tracked 63 patients over three months using a mobile app to monitor symptoms, finding that only 43% showed measurable improvement. The results suggest that even among those who improve, their symptoms can fluctuate wildly, with periods of significant worsening.
The study's lead researcher, Dr. Igor J. Koralnik, emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of long COVID recovery. "For me, a lot of my symptoms haven't gone anywhere, and I haven't really felt a whole lot better," says Grace Huffman-Gottschling, a 27-year-old woman who has been living with long COVID since her initial diagnosis in 2022.
Huffman-Gottschling's experience is not unique. Long COVID can affect anyone infected with SARS-CoV-2, causing brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, loss of taste and smell, and trouble sleeping. The condition's unpredictable nature has left healthcare providers struggling to provide effective treatment plans.
The study's findings have significant implications for the development of future treatments. Dr. Koralnik notes that women are less likely to improve than men, and those with changes in their sense of smell and taste are also at a disadvantage. Furthermore, participants who showed measurable improvement reported better cognitive function and fewer sleep disturbances than those who did not.
The app used in the study is being expanded upon in an upcoming larger trial, which will follow patients for a year and examine biomarkers of long COVID. The researchers hope that these findings will shed more light on the root cause of the condition and inform more effective treatment strategies.
For patients like Huffman-Gottschling, however, the road to recovery remains uncertain. "It's really hard to work and be out," she says. "For me, I have to still mask at places, and so that makes it tough as well, because a lot of the world has moved on from that, and it can make it very isolating."
The study's authors believe that developing similar symptom-tracking apps for other chronic conditions could empower patients on their own recovery journeys. As Dr. Koralnik puts it, "We can create other apps for other chronic diseases and empower patients on their often bumpy road to recovery."
The study's lead researcher, Dr. Igor J. Koralnik, emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of long COVID recovery. "For me, a lot of my symptoms haven't gone anywhere, and I haven't really felt a whole lot better," says Grace Huffman-Gottschling, a 27-year-old woman who has been living with long COVID since her initial diagnosis in 2022.
Huffman-Gottschling's experience is not unique. Long COVID can affect anyone infected with SARS-CoV-2, causing brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, loss of taste and smell, and trouble sleeping. The condition's unpredictable nature has left healthcare providers struggling to provide effective treatment plans.
The study's findings have significant implications for the development of future treatments. Dr. Koralnik notes that women are less likely to improve than men, and those with changes in their sense of smell and taste are also at a disadvantage. Furthermore, participants who showed measurable improvement reported better cognitive function and fewer sleep disturbances than those who did not.
The app used in the study is being expanded upon in an upcoming larger trial, which will follow patients for a year and examine biomarkers of long COVID. The researchers hope that these findings will shed more light on the root cause of the condition and inform more effective treatment strategies.
For patients like Huffman-Gottschling, however, the road to recovery remains uncertain. "It's really hard to work and be out," she says. "For me, I have to still mask at places, and so that makes it tough as well, because a lot of the world has moved on from that, and it can make it very isolating."
The study's authors believe that developing similar symptom-tracking apps for other chronic conditions could empower patients on their own recovery journeys. As Dr. Koralnik puts it, "We can create other apps for other chronic diseases and empower patients on their often bumpy road to recovery."
Like, seriously though? 43% improvement rate is kinda underwhelming if you ask me... I mean, what's the point of even trying to recover from something that just won't cooperate? 
And can we talk about how frustrating it must be for people like Grace Huffman-Gottschling who are still dealing with symptoms like brain fog and dizziness after 3 whole months? 
It's not exactly easy to navigate everyday life when you're constantly struggling to get by. At least they're making an effort to study this stuff, though... maybe one day we'll find a cure that actually works 
. It's not just about symptoms, it's about quality of life too. People like Grace are really struggling to work and live without feeling like they've fully recovered. We need more funding for studies that look into the root cause of this condition and find effective treatments 
. And yeah, developing apps like the one used in this study could be a game changer... we just need to make them accessible to everyone 
.
this long COVID thing is like, really throwing us for a loop right? I mean, we think we're getting better, but then BAM! symptoms come back and they're worse than before. It's like our bodies are playing this game of whack-a-mole, where no matter how many times we "beat" the problem, it just keeps coming back. And what's even harder is that everyone's experience is so different, like Grace's story. She's still struggling with things she thought were fixed for her. It's like, are we really making progress or are we just putting on a mask to hide our true struggles? 
at least they're trying to develop new apps for ppl to track their symptoms tho that sounds like a game changer for me tbh
. 43% improvement rate is not even close to what I'd consider a success story 
. I'm no doctor, but it feels like there's a lack of empathy towards those who don't fit into the "typical" mold 
.
. It's like, we're so focused on tech solutions that we're forgetting about the human element 
.
. We need to get some real changes in treatment strategies, not just tweaks to existing plans 
. The idea that 43% of people might not even get better is wild 
. And it's not just about feeling better, but also about how they can work and live their lives without constant symptoms 
, but we need more research on what exactly is causing this condition 
.
. We should be looking for ways to include everyone in these trials, not just those who fit a certain profile 
.
and those who did improve had super wild symptoms that could worsen anytime 
maskin still sounds ruff. but hey the study's got some good info on biomarkers & app expansion 
