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Abstract Introduction Hiccups are among the rare complications of COVID-19 infections. There are several published reports of persistent hiccups presenting during the acute COVID-19 period. However, there are very few published reports of persistent hiccups occurring in the post-acute COVID-19 period. Consequently, most clinicians may not be aware of this rare presentation. This case highlights an atypical presentation of persistent hiccups that manifested during the post-acute COVID -19 period that clinicians need to be aware of. The caseadds to the ever increasing body of knowledge about symptoms and signs associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus type 2 (SARS CoV-2) infection. Case presentation A 27 year old male black Zambian patient presented to the emergency department of our hospital with persistent hiccup, 35 days after the initial acute episode of COVID-19. This was associated with breathlessness. There were no other symptoms. He had no history of pulmonary, gastrointestinal, neurological disease or malignancy. He did not take any alcohol or smoke. He had never used any recreational drugs. He was employed as a monitoring and evaluation officer at one of the main COVID centres in the capital. On examination, the patient was anxious. Blood pressure was 141/82, pulse rate was 95 beats per minute, respiratory rate was 26 breaths per minute, temperature was 36.8C and oxygen saturation was 97% on room air. Systemic examination was normal. Chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasonography were normal. A rapid COVID-19 antigen test, and COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test that were done the following day were negative. All other haematological and biochemical tests, including D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP), were also normal. A diagnosis of post-acute COVID-19 associated hiccups was made. The patient responded well to treatment with chlorpromazine 25 mg 8 hourly. The hiccups disappeared completely after the fourth dose of chlorpromazine. Conclusion This is one of the few published cases of COVID-19 associated persistent hiccups, occurring more than a month after the initial presentation. Most of the published cases report hiccups occurring in the acute COVID-19 period. Consequently, hiccups occurring in the post-acute COVID-19 period may not be attributable to COVID-19. This case has highlighted the need to consider post-acute COVID-19 in the differential diagnosis of persistent hiccup.

Abstract Background COVID-19 survivors may develop long-term symptoms of fatigue, dyspnea, mental health issues, and functional limitations: a condition termed post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a recommended treatment for PASC; however, there is a lack of data regarding PR’s effect on multiple health indices and the factors that influence patient outcomes. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on functional and psychological parameters in patients diagnosed with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), thereby offering insights into the efficacy of such interventions in improving the quality of life and clinical outcomes for these individuals. Methods We extracted patient demographic, comorbidity, and outcome data from Allegheny Health Network’s electronic medical records. Functionality test results were compared before and after PR, including 6-minute walk test (6MWT), chair rise repetitions (CR reps), timed up and go test (TUG), gait speed (Rehab gait), modified medical research council scale (MMRC), shortness of breath questionnaire (SOBQ), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) scores. Multiple regression analysis was done to evaluate the effect of comorbidities and patient factors on patient responses to PR. Results The 55 patients included in this study had a mean time of 4 months between the initial COVID-19 diagnosis and the subsequent PASC diagnosis. Following pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), significant improvements were observed across various metrics. The distance covered in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) increased markedly from a pre-rehabilitation average of 895 feet (SD 290) to 1,300 feet (SD 335) post-rehabilitation, with a mean change of 405 feet (95% CI [333, 477]). Chair rise repetitions (CR reps) saw an increase from 9 (SD 3) reps to 13 (SD 3) reps, with a change of 4 reps (95% CI [3.7, 4.9]). The timed up and go test (TUG) time decreased significantly from 13 s (SD 5) to 10 s (SD 2), reflecting a mean reduction of 3 s (95% CI [-4.5, -2.5]). Rehabilitation gait speed improved from 1.0 m/s to 1.3 m/s, changing by 0.3 m/s (95% CI [0.2, 0.3]). The Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale showed a notable decrease from a mean of 2 (SD 1) to 1 (SD 1), a change of -1 (95% CI [-1.5, -1]). The Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (SOBQ) scores reduced significantly from 51 (SD 21) to 22 (SD 18), with a change of -29 (95% CI [-34, -23]). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores decreased from 11 (SD 7) to 8 (SD 7), a reduction of -4 (95% CI [-5, -2]). Lastly, the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) scores significantly dropped from 18 (SD 7) to 9 (SD 7), changing by -10 (95% CI [-11, -8]). However, the presence of hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, outpatient status, and receipt of specific pharmacologic treatments (decadron, decadron + remdesivir, and decadron + remdesivir + tocilizumab) were identified as factors associated with a poor response to PR. Conclusion Our study supports PR as an integrated model of care for PASC patients to improve several physical and mental health indices. The long-term effects of PR on patients’ functional status should be investigated in the future.

Abstract Autoimmunity has emerged as a characteristic of the post-COVID syndrome (PCS), which may be related to sex. In order to further investigate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and autoimmunity in PCS, a clinical and serological assessment on 100 patients was done. Serum antibody profiles against self-antigens and infectious agents were evaluated by an antigen array chip for 116 IgG and 104 IgM antibodies. Thirty pre-pandemic healthy individuals were included as a control group. The median age of patients was 49 years (IQR: 37.8 to 55.3). There were 47 males. The median post-COVID time was 219 (IQR: 143 to 258) days. Latent autoimmunity and polyautoimmunity were found in 83% and 62% of patients, respectively. Three patients developed an overt autoimmune disease. IgG antibodies against IL-2, CD8B, and thyroglobulin were found in more than 10% of the patients. Other IgG autoantibodies, such as anti-interferons, were positive in 5–10% of patients. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were found in > 85% of patients and were positively correlated with autoantibodies, age, and body mass index (BMI). Few autoantibodies were influenced by age and BMI. There was no effect of gender on the over- or under-expression of autoantibodies. IgG anti-IFN-λ antibodies were associated with the persistence of respiratory symptoms. In summary, autoimmunity is characteristic of PCS, and latent autoimmunity correlates with humoral response to SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract To date, information on COVID-19 long-term post-recovery sequelae in children and adolescents remains scarce. A retrospective descriptive cohort study was performed by collecting data on 92 patients (age ≤ 18 years). All were evaluated during a face-to-face visit following a specially designed post-COVID-19 symptom assessment protocol at the following stage: 1–3 months after COVID-19 onset. Among the 92 children, 45 (49%) were completely free of any COVID-19-related symptoms, while 47 (51%) reported persistence of at least one symptom, in particular tiredness, loss of taste and/or smell and headaches. The most common post-acute COVID-19 clinical features were noted in children aged between 10 and 18 years. A detailed multidisciplinary follow-up of patients with COVID-19 seems relevant, whatever the severity of the symptoms.

Abstract Background Approximately 10% of patients with Covid-19 experience symptoms beyond 3–4 weeks. Patients call this “long Covid”. We sought to document such patients’ lived experience, including accessing and receiving healthcare and ideas for improving services. Methods We held 55 individual interviews and 8 focus groups (n = 59) with people recruited from UK-based long Covid patient support groups, social media and snowballing. We restricted some focus groups to health professionals since they had already self-organised into online communities. Participants were invited to tell their stories and comment on others’ stories. Data were audiotaped, transcribed, anonymised and coded using NVIVO. Analysis incorporated sociological theories of illness, healing, peer support, clinical relationships, access, and service redesign. Results Of 114 participants aged 27–73 years, 80 were female. Eighty-four were White British, 13 Asian, 8 White Other, 5 Black, and 4 mixed ethnicity. Thirty-two were doctors and 19 other health professionals. Thirty-one had attended hospital, of whom 8 had been admitted. Analysis revealed a confusing illness with many, varied and often relapsing-remitting symptoms and uncertain prognosis; a heavy sense of loss and stigma; difficulty accessing and navigating services; difficulty being taken seriously and achieving a diagnosis; disjointed and siloed care (including inability to access specialist services); variation in standards (e.g. inconsistent criteria for seeing, investigating and referring patients); variable quality of the therapeutic relationship (some participants felt well supported while others felt “fobbed off”); and possible critical events (e.g. deterioration after being unable to access services). Emotionally significant aspects of participants’ experiences informed ideas for improving services. Conclusion Suggested quality principles for a long Covid service include ensuring access to care, reducing burden of illness, taking clinical responsibility and providing continuity of care, multi-disciplinary rehabilitation, evidence-based investigation and management, and further development of the knowledge base and clinical services. Trial registration NCT04435041.