The World Health Organization states that globally there have been over 134 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nearly 3 million deaths.
Global data currently focuses on mortality, cases and vaccination rates. At present there is no global data on morbidity or disability as a result of Long Covid. However, the latest estimates suggest that up to one in seven patients with COVID-19 will have ongoing symptoms for 12 weeks or more.
The impact of Long Covid and what it means for physiotherapists was the focus of a discussion session chaired by congress programme committee members Darren Brown, from the UK, and Remla Shirima, from Tanzania. The panel of speakers included Rebecca Martin, from the US, Rebecca John, from the UK, Simon Decary, from Canada, and Etienne Ngeh, from Cameroon. Two of the panellists, Darren and Rebecca John, who both have Long Covid, brought their own personal perspectives to the session.
Rebecca described her experience of the disease: “I have a massively reduced exercise capacity, brain fog and fatigue, along with anxiety over the uncertainty of when symptoms will ease … I had COVID in March 2020 and thought the symptoms would come and go and I would get back to normal. But more than 12 months later, I am still in persistent pain.”
Some of the discussion centred around whether or not Long Covid was the correct term to use for the disease. Darren described how it had developed as a community, patient-led term, but that as yet there was no global consensus on its definition. Although fatigue, brain fog and post-exertion malaise were the most common symptoms, there were over 50 symptoms associated with it. The panel were unanimous in their agreement that Long Covid was the best term, and that “Long” was its most important characteristic.
Given the complexities of Long Covid, discussions also focused on the safety considerations for patients. In particular, post-exertional malaise was highlighted, as 90% of those with Long Covid will experience this in the first six months and it is most likely triggered by exercise.
The panel admitted that although investment in research and treatments for Long Covid was now being made in some high income countries, globally very few resources were yet in place for rehabilitation. The lack of data collection around the disease was also seen as a barrier to address it and create an appropriate global response.
At the end Darren summarised the session: “Long Covid will become the lasting legacy of this global pandemic, and as a profession we have a responsibility and the power to respond to improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people around the world living with Long Covid.”
Congress sessions are available on demand to all registered participants until 8 July 2021.
