COVID-19's Silent Impact: Multiorgan Abnormalities Lurk in Survivors

In the relentless battle against COVID-19, a new study conducted across the United Kingdom has illuminated a previously hidden facet of the virus's aftermath. This study, known as C-MORE (Coronavirus Multiorgan Rehabilitation), delves into the aftermath of COVID-19 infections, shedding light on the enduring health effects that persist months after patients have been discharged from the hospital. 

The study results were published in the journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 

The world is grappling with the enduring COVID-19 pandemic. It is a stark reminder that the journey doesn't end with recovery from the acute phase of the disease. Instead, for many survivors, it marks the beginning of a new chapter where the virus's multiorgan impact continues to haunt them. This study was a prospective, UK-wide, multicentre MRI follow-up study (C-MORE) carried out as a part of the larger Post-hospitalization COVID-19 study ( PHOSP-COVID). C_MORE utilized advanced MRI technology to assess the health status of individuals aged 18 and above who had been discharged from the hospital after battling COVID-19 and were compared to the controls who did not have COVID. The main outcome was to assess the burden of multiorgan abnormalities after MRI. 

The Findings: 

• Among the 259 COVID-19 patients studied, a staggering 61% showed evidence of multiorgan abnormalities on MRI scans, compared to just 27% of the 52 individuals in the control group with the abnormalities spanning across various organs and most commonly in the lungs, brain, and kidneys.
• Lung abnormalities were a particularly prevalent issue, with MRI scans revealing parenchymal abnormalities in COVID-19 patients explaining some of the persistent respiratory symptoms reported by those battling the virus.
• Brain abnormalities like white matter hyperintensities and regional brain volume reduction were identified in a significant number of patients, thus shedding light on the cognitive and neurological symptoms reported by some COVID-19 survivors.
• Cardiac and liver abnormalities were not significantly different between COVID-19 patients and the control group suggesting that the virus has a profound impact on certain organs and it may not affect others to the same degree. 
• The study also uncovered significant associations between multiorgan abnormalities and patient characteristics. COVID-19 patients with these abnormalities tended to be older, had a higher prevalence of comorbidities, and had experienced more severe acute infections during their hospitalization.
• Multiorgan abnormalities were linked to persistent physical and mental health impairment. Patients with these abnormalities reported more severe and prolonged symptoms, highlighting the importance of ongoing care and support for those who have battled COVID-19.

These findings underscore the need for proactive, multidisciplinary care for COVID-19 survivors, with a focus on monitoring and managing the potential long-term consequences of the virus. Imaging techniques, such as MRI, could play a pivotal role in guiding healthcare providers in assessing and addressing post-COVID-19 complications.

Further reading: Multiorgan MRI findings after hospitalization with COVID-19 in the UK (C-MORE): a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00262-X