logo
New Research on Long-Covid Offers Hope for Patients Living with Condition

New Research on Long-Covid Offers Hope for Patients Living with Condition

Dr Richard Webb
A new clinical study from Cardiff Metropolitan University – in collaboration with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) – has highlighted new biomedical insights into long-Covid.
The researchers say it could take existing studies one step closer to finding treatment for patients living with the condition.
Long-Covid is a new condition which can affect people who have previously had the Covid-19 virus. Symptoms can include heart disease, muscle and joint pain, extreme tiredness, coughing, shortness of breath and memory difficulties.
The clinical study – 'Seasonal variation in the associations between self-reported long-Covid symptoms and IL-6 signaling-related factors' – from Cardiff Met and CTM UHB included DNA and blood samples taken from 175 participants who had previously had the Covid-19 infection. The bloods taken measured levels of two proteins, 'Interleukin-6 (IL-6)' and 'Interleukin-6 Receptor (IL-6R)', while the DNA sample was used to detect which variant of IL-6R gene, known as 'IL-6R genotype', was present.
IL-6 and IL-6R are made by the immune system to fight infection. IL-6R is the receptor that IL-6 attaches to – like a key fitting into a lock. This connection allows IL-6 to send signals that trigger an immune response. Craig Greenstock
Craig Greenstock, 63, from Pontypridd took part in the study and was first admitted to hospital in December 2020 at the height of the pandemic after being diagnosed with CovidPneumonitis. He was previously fit and healthy.
Craig went on to spend the next nine weeks in hospital, initially placed on a ventilator within the intensive care unit before being moved to various wards.
He has since been diagnosed with long Covid and suffers with bouts of fatigue, breathlessness, brain fog, PTSD, night terrors and is being treated with three daily pumps for asthma related symptoms. A nodule was also discovered on Craig's lung following the infection.
Craig said:
'I can safely say that when I was first admitted to hospital and what then developed was the scariest time of my life, both physically and mentally.
'I was extremely unwell for some time, with my family being given 24 hours for my condition to improve. My symptoms following the virus have been so significant it has resulted in me having to retire from work.'
Participants were also asked to complete a questionnaire sharing their current long Covid symptoms at different times throughout the year to see if the change in seasons affected the condition, and to help get an accurate diagnosis.
The purpose of the study – which was funded through The Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Collaborative Research Fund – was to better understand how these IL-6-related factors contribute to the risk of long-Covid and possibly initiate future strategies for using them as biomarkers predictive of risk.
The results from the participants tested highlighted that long-Covid sufferers had elevated levels of IL-6 compared to those who had regained full health. The results also showed the risk of getting long-Covid appeared to be increased in patients with a particular type of IL-6R genotype, known as the 'AA' genotype.
Dr Richard Webb, a Principal Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences in the Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Innovation and Development (CURIAD) at Cardiff Metropolitan University is leading on the study.
He said:
'While interpretation is complicated by seasonal variations, the findings from the study point towards possible future use of IL-6 and IL-6R genotype as biomarkers predictive of long-Covid risk, which may bring advantages regarding the management and treatment of the illness.'
Dr Ceri Lynch is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine and Critical Care Research Lead at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and has worked alongside Cardiff Met on the long-Covid symptoms study.
Dr Lynch said:
'This collaborative research between Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Cardiff Metropolitan University has shown some interesting and exciting findings with regard to the risk factors for developing long-Covid. We would like to continue this work, with the ultimate aim of identifying an effective drug treatment for the condition.'
Craig added:
'I was very fortunate to have a positive attitude to life and fairly healthy, so strong enough, physically and mentally, to be able to fight the virus and ongoing recovery.
'I would be prepared to try any medicine that could improve my standard of life back to anywhere near where it was before I fell ill.'
The team of researchers from Cardiff Met and CTM UHB will now look at how the findings from this study can be integrated into and support The Post-hospitalisation Covid-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) – which includes leading researchers and clinicians from across the UK working together to understand and improve long-term health outcomes for patients who have been in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Covid-19 outbreak closes two wards at major Scots hospital
Covid-19 outbreak closes two wards at major Scots hospital

Daily Record

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Covid-19 outbreak closes two wards at major Scots hospital

The major hospital has closed the wards to all but essential visitors. Two wards at a major Scots hospital have been shut down following a Covid outbreak, with health chiefs urging visitors to stay away if they feel unwell. ‌ NHS Grampian confirmed on Sunday that wards 110 and 308 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary are now closed to all but essential visitors. ‌ In a statement on social media, the health board said: 'Due to cases of COVID, wards 110 and 308 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary are closed to all but ESSENTIAL visitors. ‌ Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'Normal visiting applies in all other wards. ‌ 'If you are unwell, please do not visit relatives or friends in hospital.' Officials stressed that the measures are in place to protect patients, staff and visitors. NHS Grampian has been contacted for further comment.

'I thought my snoring was from blocked nose, but it was something far worse'
'I thought my snoring was from blocked nose, but it was something far worse'

Daily Mirror

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

'I thought my snoring was from blocked nose, but it was something far worse'

Cornwall mum-of-two Claire Barbery was left in shock after what she thought was a blocked nose and snoring turned out to be something much more serious A mum-of-two was left stunned after what she thought was a harmless blocked nose and new snoring habit turned out to be a sign of a rare and aggressive cancer, which was already eroding her skull. ‌ Claire Barbery, 51, from Newquay, Cornwall, had no idea her mild symptoms were anything to worry about. In fact, she nearly cancelled the very hospital appointment that would change, and possibly save, her life. Claire, who works in a care home, put her persistent nasal blockage down to repeated Covid tests and thought nothing of the fact that she had suddenly started snoring at night. ‌ She said: 'I started snoring, which I'd never done before. I was waking up breathing through my mouth. Even then, I nearly cancelled my hospital appointment. I didn't want to waste anyone's time.' ‌ But in January 2023, after months of no improvement and with her concerns growing, she finally sought help. The mum had olfactory neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that grows in the upper part of the nasal cavity. Scans revealed a 5cm tumour that had already begun eating away at the bone at the base of her skull. Claire was immediately sent for complex and high-risk surgery at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where consultant surgeon Shahz Ahmed, who specialises in the type of procedure she needed, removed the tumour in a delicate operation that was filmed for Channel 5's gripping documentary Surgeons: A Matter of Life or Death. ‌ He explained: 'This was a very rare form of cancer. It had already gone through the skull base and into the base of the brain. If we hadn't acted, it could have spread through her body. The surgery was high risk – we were working close to the brain's main blood supply, with dangers of stroke, seizures, and even death.' The operation was a success, but not without cost. To ensure all the cancer was removed, surgeons had to take out Claire's olfactory bulbs, meaning she's now permanently lost her sense of smell. After her surgery, Claire underwent six gruelling weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She's now under close monitoring but is slowly returning to work and spending quality time with her husband Gary and daughters Lowenna, 27, and Keizha, 25. 'I very nearly didn't go to that appointment,' Claire said. 'I thought, 'There's nothing wrong – don't waste NHS time.' But looking back, that decision could've cost me my life.' Now, as part of World Head and Neck Cancer Day, Claire is working with the UK's Get A-Head Charitable Trust to raise awareness and urge others to take persistent symptoms seriously, no matter how small they seem. She said: 'If you know your body, you've got to push. If something feels wrong – don't ignore it.'

'Our little girl died four years ago and we're still waiting to find out why'
'Our little girl died four years ago and we're still waiting to find out why'

Daily Mirror

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

'Our little girl died four years ago and we're still waiting to find out why'

The grieving family of Bonnie Marsh, who died after collapsing in hospital, have been left with more bad news after being told an inquest into her death has been delayed again The devastated parents of a little girl who died after collapsing in hospital say they feel 'let down again and again" as a long-awaited inquest into her death is delayed yet again, nearly four years on. ‌ Bonnie Marsh, just four years old, tragically died in December 2021 after falling seriously ill with vomiting and exhaustion. Despite three visits to hospital, where her mum says she was 'dying in her arms', the bubbly schoolgirl was not admitted until it was too late Now, her grieving parents Lauren and Liam Marsh are still fighting for answers, but the inquest they had hoped would finally give them closure has been pushed back once more. ‌ And the heartbroken couple have revealed a string of horrifying discoveries in the wake of their daughter's death — including learning her body had been frozen without their consent. ‌ Mum Lauren, 33, said: "She's my daughter, but it feels like she's been the NHS 's property since she died. We were finally at the point of getting answers, and it's been taken away from us. We've just been let down again.' Bonnie, who had just started school and adored Disney's The Lion King, seemed full of a cold on December 14 four years ago when she came home from school. Two days later, she passed out in the bathroom after being sick. ‌ Paramedics told her family her observations were 'fine' and said the hospital wasn't necessary. But her concerned mum insisted on taking her in anyway, explaining: "She was still being sick, floppy and lethargic." Bonnie was seen again at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital the following day but sent home. On December 18, Lauren knew something was seriously wrong. She added: "She was freezing cold, floppy and dying in my arms. I was wandering around the hospital begging someone to help.' ‌ A cleaner, not a nurse or doctor, eventually guided her to the Children's Assessment Unit and said the tot was "very poorly," Lauren explained. As Bonnie's condition worsened, doctors handed Lauren a syringe and told her to feed her daughter tiny drops of water, despite her being close to death. Lauren said: 'They gave me the syringe to put water in my dying daughter's mouth. They said they'd restarted her heart and were transferring her by helicopter. But before we could leave, doctors ran back into the room. They said it was time to say goodbye — but when I walked in, she was already gone.' ‌ Ever since the tragic death, Lauren says her family haven't received any support or guidance and that police weren't contacted about the sudden death. Initially, the cause of death was said to be dehydration due to norovirus. A post-mortem later showed Bonnie had also tested positive for Covid and flu. But then doctors at N&N said she may have died due to a genetic condition, and an interim death certificate listed an 'inborn error of metabolism'. However, specialists at Addenbrooke's, Great Ormond Street, and even a clinic in Germany all found no evidence of any such condition. To make matters worse, the family were told after her death that Bonnie's body had been frozen to preserve samples. ‌ Lauren added: 'I hadn't signed anything. I had no idea. I was heartbroken. When I finally saw her, she didn't look like my Bonnie anymore.' Bonnie's inquest was finally scheduled to begin this July, but just three days before it was due to start, the family were told it was being postponed again because a witness was unavailable. At a brief hearing, area coroner Johanna Thompson said: "Bonnie's inquest was due to take place this week, but there were difficulties with the attending witness… It has now been relisted for October 29 and 30.' However, the family aren't hopeful anything will get done this time and are refusing to put it in their calendar. Lauren explained: "Every delay sets us back three months. Every time, someone needs more time to review evidence. I don't think we're going to get an apology. I just want a concrete answer about what my daughter died from.' In a statement, Tracey Bleakley, Executive Managing Director at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said: "Our deepest condolences are with Bonnie's family following their loss and we are sorry to hear there have been delays in the inquest process. It is entirely right that the circumstances are fully reviewed by the coroner following our own internal review. A full inquest… will provide the opportunity to answer all the family's questions.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store