Pan-Canadian Survey Reveals Long-Term Harm Of COVID To Brain Health

A pan-Canadian survey of more than 1,000 COVID long-haulers, individuals with COVID-19 symptoms that last weeks or months, reveals the impact of Long COVID on brain health.

From coast to coast, cognitive impairment or “brain fog” was among the top reported symptoms, along with fatigue and shortness of breath. Additional brain-related symptoms included headaches, dizziness, and anxiety. Over 80% of respondents experienced symptoms for more than three months, and almost 50% experienced symptoms for 11 months or more. While vaccines and physical distancing are important to prevent and mitigate COVID-19, the survey suggests the impact of COVID-19 on brain health will last beyond the pandemic.

A detailed report on the survey is forthcoming and will be available on the website of the alliance members listed below. Survey results are consistent with other scientific findings, including that Long COVID is disproportionately impacting women in their middle years. This is the largest publicly available survey of people living with Long COVID in Canada to date.

“It is our hope that the data collected from this survey will highlight the implications of Long COVID on brain health. Creating awareness through lived experiences and patient collaboration will magnify the urgency to act on funding for research and rehabilitation of long-haulers,” said COVID Long-Haulers Support Group Canada Founder Susie Goulding.

The survey is the result of an alliance between Viral Neuro Exploration (VINEx), COVID Long Haulers Support Group Canada, and Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC) to build awareness and increase funding for research and care on Long COVID. The alliance leverages science, clinical research, and lived experiences from patient groups, and is reaching out to other organizations with an interest in the lasting and long-term impacts of COVID-19.

“The survey underlines earlier observations that COVID-19 can cause neurological damage which persists months after the initial infection. It clearly indicates that Canada needs action on brain health in COVID and post-COVID contexts,” said Neurological Health Charities Canada Manager Deanna Groetzinger.

According to the survey, nearly half of respondents received care for long-lasting symptoms in a healthcare clinic more than five times. Nearly a third received care more than 10 times. Six out of 10 had to take leave from work as a consequence of living with Long COVID, for weeks or months at a time, sometimes leading to early retirement. The responses suggest ongoing economic, health and societal costs with ripple effects into the public health sector and labour force.

“We must make the study of viral impacts on the brain a priority, beginning with COVID-19 survivors who need answers. One or more clinical trials of sufficient scale, with patients followed over time, would generate data needed to better understand Long COVID and the neurological and psychological consequences of this infection. What we learn from more research on Long COVID will also accelerate our understanding of how viruses and future pandemics may affect brain health, including as possible triggers for neurodegenerative diseases,” said VINEx Global Director Inez Jabalpurwala.

In addition to its alliance with COVID Long Haulers Support Group Canada and NHCC, VINEx has become an international member of the Long COVID Alliance in the United States. This alliance, led by SOLVE M.E., was central to the bipartisan legislation introduced on May 27^th to provide nearly 100 million USD in Long COVID funding for research and education initiatives.

It is currently estimated that 25-35% of COVID-19 patients are experiencing the long-term effects of the virus. The COVID-19 count in Canada as of June 2^nd is 1,383,214, which means that anywhere from 345,803 to 484,125 people may have been or are currently living with Long COVID in this country.

The Survey in Numbers

• The survey ran from May 5^th to May 26^th 2021 and reached 1,048 respondents with Long COVID from all ten provinces and three territories.
• Participants ranged in age from under 18 to over 90. Nearly 60% were aged 40 to 59.
• More than 87% of respondents identified as women. Members of cultural minorities represented 9% of participants*.
• Before having COVID-19, nearly 63% of respondents did not have a long-term health condition.
• 57% of participants received a positive COVID-19 test. It should be noted that respondents may not have had access to COVID-19 tests at the times of their initial infection.
• More than 85% of participants were not admitted to hospital during their initial infection.
• Nearly 70% of respondents had to take leave from work. More than half had to reduce working hours, with 74% reducing their working hours by 50% or more.

SOURCE VINEx