Via newswire.ca: Pan-Canadian Survey Reveals Long-term Harm of COVID to Brain Health. Excerpt:
VANCOUVER, BC and MONTREAL, June 3, 2021 /CNW/ - A pan-Canadian survey of more than 1,000 COVID long-haulers, individuals with COVID-19 symptoms that last weeks or months, reveals the impact of Long COVID on brain health. From coast to coast, cognitive impairment or "brain fog" was among the top reported symptoms, along with fatigue and shortness of breath. Additional brain-related symptoms included headaches, dizziness, and anxiety.
Over 80% of respondents experienced symptoms for more than three months, and almost 50% experienced symptoms for 11 months or more. While vaccines and physical distancing are important to prevent and mitigate COVID-19, the survey suggests the impact of COVID-19 on brain health will last beyond the pandemic.
A detailed report on the survey is forthcoming and will be available on the website of the alliance members listed below. Survey results are consistent with other scientific findings, including that Long COVID is disproportionately impacting women in their middle years. This is the largest publicly available survey of people living with Long COVID in Canada to date.
"It is our hope that the data collected from this survey will highlight the implications of Long COVID on brain health. Creating awareness through lived experiences and patient collaboration will magnify the urgency to act on funding for research and rehabilitation of long-haulers," said COVID Long-Haulers Support Group Canada Founder Susie Goulding.
The survey is the result of an alliance between Viral Neuro Exploration (VINEx), COVID Long Haulers Support Group Canada, and Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC) to build awareness and increase funding for research and care on Long COVID. The alliance leverages science, clinical research, and lived experiences from patient groups, and is reaching out to other organizations with an interest in the lasting and long-term impacts of COVID-19.
"The survey underlines earlier observations that COVID-19 can cause neurological damage which persists months after the initial infection. It clearly indicates that Canada needs action on brain health in COVID and post-COVID contexts," said Neurological Health Charities Canada Manager Deanna Groetzinger.
According to the survey, nearly half of respondents received care for long-lasting symptoms in a healthcare clinic more than five times. Nearly a third received care more than 10 times. Six out of 10 had to take leave from work as a consequence of living with Long COVID, for weeks or months at a time, sometimes leading to early retirement. The responses suggest ongoing economic, health and societal costs with ripple effects into the public health sector and labour force.
