Multi-Disciplinary Collaborative Consensus Guidance Statement on the Assessment and Treatment of Fatigue in Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) Patients-Follow Up Q&A From The Session

Follow Up Q&A From The Session

Pdf Summary

The report highlights a multi-disciplinary collaborative consensus on the assessment and treatment of fatigue in patients suffering from Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). Key questions raised by attendees and answered by experts during the session address sleep issues in elderly post-COVID patients, the use of fluvoxamine for reducing severe COVID-19 progression, and identifying the multifactorial pathophysiological mechanisms behind PASC-related fatigue. Experts emphasized that there is no single cause due to the broad definition of PASC, and suggested the importance of clustering patients for better understanding.<br /><br />Questions regarding future studies on vestibular symptoms and long COVID, standardized outcome measures, and support for physicians recovering from PASC were discussed. There is ongoing work on creating standardized outcome measures for tracking patient progress, with more details to follow. The report also mentions that cognitive/neuro guidance statements and autonomic nervous system statements are in progress, but there’s no current plan for vestibular system-focused documentation.<br /><br />Physiatrists inquiring about affiliation with PASC clinics and available support were directed to resources and potential contacts. Comparisons between PASC symptoms and fibromyalgia were made, with suggestions for cautious return-to-activity programs based on symptoms rather than a strict graduated exercise regimen. The use of SNRIs was not recommended due to lack of evidence, while Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was suggested for mood-related issues.<br /><br />Cognitive training is deemed useful for addressing cognitive fatigue adjunctively alongside an activity program. Information about PASC clinics is available through the Survivor Corps website, as the collaborative participants are engaged individually and not listed on the AAPMR website. The panelists are open to discussions for further guidance.

Keywords

PASC

fatigue

COVID-19

fluvoxamine

cognitive training

CBT

standardized outcome measures

vestibular symptoms

fibromyalgia

Survivor Corps