Post acute COVID syndrome (PASC)
Approaches to healing
Persis Hope, FNP, IFMCP
Amy Trelease-Bell, MD, IFMCP
Disclosures
Perspective
Goals and objectives
What is post acute COVID syndrome?
Estimates of the proportion of people who had COVID-19 that go on to experience post-COVID conditions can vary:
13.3% at one month or longer after infection
2.5% at three months or longer, based on self-reporting
More than 30% at 6 months among patients who were hospitalized
Current case totals in the US: 93, 085,891 total in the US
Impacts of SARS-coV-19
Mucosal immunity -
Innate immune system— inflammatory process, first line of defense if mucosal defenses are breached�
Adaptive immune system—B and T cell priming, increased specificity�
Cytokine storm
vascular endotheilitis
thrombosis
endothelial dysfunction
neurological impairments
chronic fatigue
Impact of Pre-existing inflammation on COVID-19�
Oxidative stress�
Post acute COVID syndrome
Sequelae�
PASC – hypotheses around causes�
Cellular damage
Robust innate immune response with inflammatory cytokine production
Cytokine “rain”
Virus in short quantity in some organs
Immune system detects the virus
Mast cells and macrophages produce cytokine rain
Persistent inflammation causes fatigue , weakness and difficulty healing
(Chi Sono 2021) , (Schafer, et al)
Pro coagulant state induced by SARS coV-2 , (McElvaney 2020; )
Is low cortisol a cause or an effect?
Disparities and inequities in health care
To promote high‐quality care in individuals with PACS, we need to ensure resources are equitably available for those affected to maintain physical and mental health.
Prevalence of PASC- demographics
Health care disparities
Big picture !
Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to COVID-19 severity
Can we repurpose anti inflammatory immunomodulatory agents to mitigate inflammation in covid 19 ?
Can we use mitochondria-targeted agents prophylactically to prevent inflammation and boost immunity in long haulers?
Kalyanaranman, B. Reactive oxygen species, proinflammatory and immunosuppressive mediators induced in covid-19: overlapping biology with cancer. Royal Society of chemistry, 2012, 2, 1402-1414.
Help is on the way
Work up
Initial management
4 Treat, in collaboration with appropriate specialists, underlying medical conditions, such as pain, insomnia/sleep disorders (including poor sleep hygiene), and mood issues that may be contributing to fatigue.
PACS Treatments- integrative
It’s all about the gut microbiome �
Standard Diet vs healthier choices
.
Nutrition and PACS muscle mass
Nutrition and PACS fats
Nutrition and PACS carbs
Micronutrients
Nutraceuticals – a food containing health giving additives and medicinal benefit
Polyphenols food sources
Polyphenols food sources cont
Polyphenols food sources cont
Food sources of NAC
Nutritional recommendations
Mediterranean diet
Short Chain Fatty Acids ( acetate and butyrate examples)
Fiber as a post covid Rx
Nutritional modulation of the gut microbiota to treat post acute COVID-19
High fiber study cont
Fiber study cont
Significant structural changes of the patient’s gut microbiota
Reduced microbial fermentation activity in the small intestine
Considered SIBO as the cause of her long lasting nausea and anorexia
Her breath hydrogen test improved
Probiotics
Treatment of fatigue
critical minerals
i.e. iron, magnesium, zinc, copper
critical vitamins
i.e. riboflavin, B12, vitamin C,
Improving energy production
Other supportive lifestyle measures
Scent training for anosmia
Anosmia cont
Take short, light sniffs, and concentrate on the scent you are smelling. It may take several weeks
track your progress and note any changes in your ability, no matter how small. Another way to track your progress may be how you feel about smelling items, since smell and mood are closely linked.
Breath- vagal tone/ modulation of parasympathetic tone
Slow deep breaths
Help for low cortisol
A word on exercise
CASE REPORT
Case 1
Work up
Case- My assessment:�
Case - Initial recommendations: �
Case - Referred to Pulmonary service PASC clinic�
Diagnosed with bronchiectasis, referred for chest PT
Case -3 months later
Case- 5 months later
Case – 10 months later
REFERENCES
Reference for microbiome
anosmia