Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Retinal Microcirculation as a Potential Marker for Chronic Fatigue

Schlick S, Lucio M, Wallukat G, Bartsch A, Skornia A, Hoffmanns J, Szewczykowski C, Schröder T, Raith F, Rogge L, Heltmann F, Moritz M, Beitlich L, Schottenhamml J, Herrmann M, Harrer T, Ganslmayer M, Kruse F, Lämmer R, Mardin C, Hohberger B (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

International Journal of Molecular Sciences MDPI

Book Volume: 23

Article Number: 13683

Journal Issue: 22

DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213683

Abstract

Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is characterized by persisting sequelae after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). PCS can affect patients with all COVID-19 disease severities. As previous studies have revealed impaired blood flow as a provoking factor triggering PCS, it was the aim of the present study to investigate the potential association between self-reported chronic fatigue and retinal microcirculation in patients with PCS, potentially indicating an objective biomarker. A prospective study was performed, including 201 subjects: 173 patients with PCS and 28 controls. Retinal microcirculation was visualized by OCT angiography (OCT-A) and quantified using the Erlangen-Angio-Tool as macula and peripapillary vessel density (VD). Chronic fatigue (CF) was assessed according to the variables of Bell’s score, age and gender. VDs in the superficial vascular plexus (SVP), intermediate capillary plexus (ICP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were analyzed, considering the repetitions (12 times). Seropositivity for autoantibodies targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR-AAbs) was determined by an established cardiomyocyte bioassay. Taking account of the repetitions, a mixed model was performed to detect possible differences in the least square means between the different groups included in the analysis. An age effect in relation to VD was observed between patients and controls (p < 0.0001). Gender analysis showed that women with PCS showed lower VD levels in the SVP compared to male patients (p = 0.0015). The PCS patients showed significantly lower VDs in the ICP as compared to the controls (p = 0.0001 (CI: 0.32; 1)). Moreover, considering PCS patients, the mixed model revealed a significant difference between those with chronic fatigue (CF) and those without CF with respect to VDs in the SVP (p = 0.0033 (CI: −4.5; −0.92)). The model included variables of age, gender and Bell’s score, representing a subjective marker for CF. Consequently, retinal microcirculation might serve as an objective biomarker in subjectively reported chronic fatigue in patients with PCS.

Authors with CRIS profile

Alexander Bartsch Medizinische Fakultät Adam Skornia Department of Ophthalmology Lorenz Beitlich Medizinische Fakultät Julia Schottenhamml Department of Ophthalmology Martin Herrmann Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology Thomas Harrer Professur für Innere Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Immundefizienz Marion Ganslmayer Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Friedrich Kruse Lehrstuhl für Augenheilkunde Robert Lämmer Professur für Augenheilkunde (Glaukome) Christian Mardin Medizinische Fakultät Bettina Hohberger Department of Ophthalmology

Involved external institutions

Helmholtz Zentrum München - Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (HMGU) / Helmholtz Munich DE Germany (DE) Berlin Cures GmbH DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Schlick, S., Lucio, M., Wallukat, G., Bartsch, A., Skornia, A., Hoffmanns, J.,... Hohberger, B. (2022). Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Retinal Microcirculation as a Potential Marker for Chronic Fatigue. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(22). https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms232213683

MLA:

Schlick, Sarah, et al. "Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Retinal Microcirculation as a Potential Marker for Chronic Fatigue." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23.22 (2022).

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