Long/Post-Covid – An Interdisciplinary Challenge

Emil C. Reisinger; Hilte Geerdes-Fenge; Christine Wossidlo; Hanka Arndt

doi:10.1055/a-2578-1363

RöFo - Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren, Inhaltsverzeichnis

Rofo 2025; 197(12): 1388-1394
DOI: 10.1055/a-2578-1363

Review

Long/Post-Covid – An Interdisciplinary Challenge

Artikel in mehreren Sprachen: English | deutsch

Autor*innen

Emil C. Reisinger

¹Dept. of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)
Hilte Geerdes-Fenge

¹Dept. of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)
Christine Wossidlo

¹Dept. of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)
Hanka Arndt

²Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

Abstract

Background

In this overview we summarize the current state of scientific knowledge on the epidemiology, etiology, clinical symptoms and therapy of post-COVID disease.

Methods

The study is based on a search of the scientific literature available on PubMed and on our own clinical experience in the post-COVID outpatient clinic.

Conclusion

The prevalence of post-COVID disease varies greatly depending on the survey method used. The symptoms of post-COVID are manifold, but fatigue, cardiopulmonary complaints, cognitive deficit, and pain syndromes are prominent. There are currently no surefire symptoms or specific markers that prove the presence of the disease. Therefore, diagnosis is often based on an exclusion of other diagnoses, which requires good interdisciplinary cooperation. Therapy for post-COVID disease is also not specific but is always individual and symptom-oriented. There have been various attempts to explain the pathogenesis of post-COVID, but the mechanisms behind the development of the condition have not yet been conclusively clarified. Persistence of the virus or of viral proteins may cause protracted infection or autoimmunity. Infection and inflammation of the endothelium of the small vessels and the hypercoagulation associated with this may lead to local cytokine dysregulation and organ damage. Further clarification of the pathogenesis of post-COVID and the establishment of effective diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches are urgently needed.

Key Points

Post-COVID is a commonly reported condition with variable symptoms
Interdisciplinary exclusion of other diagnoses and therapy planning are important
Clarification of pathogenesis and establishment of diagnostic markers are urgently needed

Citation Format

Reisinger EC, Geerdes-Fenge H, Wossidlo C et al. Long/Post-Covid – An Interdisciplinary Challenge. Rofo 2025; 197: 1388–1393

Keywords

Long-COVID - Post-COVID - SARS CoV-2 - COVID-19 - pathogenesis - diagnosis

Volltext

Referenzen

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