Condição pós-covid: perfil clínico, funcional, inflamatório e seus preditores

Abstract

The post-covid condition (PCC) comprises persistent symptoms after acute SARS CoV-2 infection. This study compared individuals with and without PCC (PCC/NPCC), assessing clinical, functional, and inflammatory profiles to identify predictors of the condition. A total of 158 participants (82 PCC, 76 NPCC) aged between 18 and 60 years in the Southeast region of Brazil were recruited, and height, weight, physical activity level, manual strength and blood data were collected during the visit. The immune pattern was determined by luminescence and lactate was assessed by enzymatic test. We observed a significant increase in pro- and anti inflammatory cytokines/growth factors (IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IL-1RA, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, TNF and VEGF) in NPCC participants compared to PCC (p<0.0001). Body mass index (BMI) was higher in the PCC group (27 kg/m²) compared to NPCC (24 kg/m²; p<0.0001), although muscle strength was lower in this group (19 kg/F; p<0.0001). The PCC also had a higher prevalence of comorbidities (64.6% of participants). Women (OR=12.2), older age (OR=1.21) and low doses of COVID-19 vaccine (OR=26.27) were identified as risk factors for PCC. Muscle strength (OR=0.85) and lactate concentration (OR=0.74) reduced the odds of PCC. These results provide additional knowledge to understand the inflammatory profile and risk factors associated with PCC.