Fight against post-COVID: MHH examines the quality of life of those affected

Fight against post-COVID: MHH examines the quality of life of those affected

The research group at Hannover Medical School (MHH) is intensively dedicated to post-COVID syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). These diseases are increasingly affecting people in Germany who are still suffering from the long-term health consequences of COVID-19. According to the MHH, thousands of those affected have reported all forms of exhaustion and other symptoms, which often severely restrict everyday life.

The most common symptom of post-COVID syndrome is persistent exhaustion, which limits many sufferers to such an extent that they become bedridden. The MHH has launched the ACCESS project, which is specifically aimed at developing care options for these severely affected patients. The exact number of people in Germany who suffer from a severe form of post-COVID syndrome currently remains unclear, but estimates suggest that around 10% of those infected with COVID-19 develop post-COVID syndrome.

Project ACCESS: Strategies to improve care

The ACCESS project, which is being carried out with financial support of around 1.8 million euros over a period of four years, includes intensive examinations and close collaboration between the treating doctors and a specialized research team. The target group is patients who are unable to leave their house. They are visited by a medical team in their home and receive individual treatment plans developed in collaboration with their family doctors. The study examines the frequency of the severe variant of post-COVID syndrome and ME/CFS and is supported by the MHH Department of Neurology, the Department of Psychosomatics and other institutions.

A crucial aspect of the project is the long-term support of patients over a period of up to 12 months. Two different approaches will be tested to determine whether participants' symptoms improve over time and whether their quality of life improves.

The challenges of ME/CFS

A significant proportion of patients with post-COVID syndrome meet the diagnostic criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Predictions suggest that cases of ME/CFS could become approximately twice as common in the coming years. This neuroimmunological disease is usually triggered by infections, including viruses, and can lead to lifelong symptoms.

The main symptoms of ME/CFS are persistent fatigue lasting at least six months and severe exercise intolerance, also known as post-exertional malaise (PEM). This is expressed, for example, by a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion. In addition, those affected often report pain, sleep disorders and cognitive impairments. The condition is classified as a neurological disease by the WHO, and patients' quality of life is often significantly impaired.

Treatment for ME/CFS focuses on relieving symptoms and assisting with energy management, known as pacing. Unlike many other health problems, there is currently no causal therapy, which makes the situation more difficult for those affected.

The MHH research group and its partners in the ACCESS project show how important it is to specifically support these patient groups in medical care and what important role scientific research plays in combating health crises. By promoting close collaboration between the research team, patients and family doctors, they hope to be able to offer those affected an improved treatment option.