Factors involved in the improvement of prolonged symptoms in patients with COVID-19 treated with Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicine: A single-center, prospective, observational study.
Article Title: Factors involved in the improvement of prolonged symptoms in patients with COVID-19 treated with Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicine: A single-center, prospective, observational study.
PMID: 41861186
Plain-Language Summary
Patients with prolonged symptoms after COVID-19 (PSC) often experience fatigue, hindering their daily activities and social life. Since there is no standard treatment for PSC, a study was conducted to investigate symptom progression in PSC patients treated with Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicine based on individual symptoms. A prospective study collected data from PSC patients at a Japanese hospital to evaluate factors influencing symptom improvement. The analysis revealed that patients with higher initial general fatigue scores took longer to improve symptoms, emphasizing the potential benefits of early treatment with Kampo medicine for PSC.
Key Findings
- PSC patients with higher initial general fatigue scores required more time to achieve symptom improvement compared to those with lower scores.
- Patients who delayed their visit after experiencing symptoms for ≥90 days showed delayed symptom improvement compared to those with <90 days of symptom onset.
- Early treatment, including Kampo medicine, was associated with better symptom relief in PSC patients within 3 months of the first visit.
Study Type
This study was a prospective observational investigation conducted at a single hospital in Japan to assess the impact of Kampo medicine on symptom progression in patients with prolonged symptoms following COVID-19.
What This Means (and Doesn’t Mean)
The findings suggest that early initiation of treatment, particularly with Kampo medicine, may aid in alleviating symptoms in patients with prolonged symptoms after COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions based on individual symptom profiles. However, the study's observational design and limited sample size warrant further research to establish the broader applicability and efficacy of such treatments in managing long-lasting COVID-19 symptoms.
Source
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Article Excerpt
Patients with prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 (PSC) show various symptoms, especially fatigue, which affect their activities of daily living and inhibit their return to social life.