A retrospective analysis of clinically confirmed long post-COVID vaccination syndrome
Background and aim: Long Post-COVID Vaccination Syndrome (LPCVS) is an increasingly recognized disease that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations and lasts >4 weeks. However, little is known about the clinical presentation, underlying pathophysiology, treatment, and outcome of LPCVS. This study aims to present a series of patients with LPCVS, their treatment, and outcomes.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of three patients with LPCVS.
Results: In an observation period of two months (January and February 2022), three patients were collected in whom side effects after vaccination against COVID-19 lasted >4 weeks and in whom instrumental examinations were largely unremarkable. All three patients received only symptomatic therapy and only partially recovered within 6-8 months after vaccination. LPCVS significantly impaired the quality of life of the included patients.
Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations may cause not only short-term but also long-term side effects, that include not only known diseases but also non-specific symptoms with normal or slightly abnormal clinical and instrumental findings. Although LPCVS leads to long-term disability, it is not widely recognized and not always accepted by manufacturers, health authorities, and even scientists. LPCVS should not be dismissed as a functional disorder and patients with LPCVS should be taken seriously.
Relevance for patients: The possible causal relation between some long side effects and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines cannot be ignored. The pathophysiology of LPCVS should be further studied to lay a foundation for further improvement of the vaccines.
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