Associação entre marcadores bioquímicos, oxidativos e autopercepção de sequelas funcionais relacionadas à infecção por SARS-CoV-2 na pessoa idosa

Abstract

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic established in 2020 reached all countries in the world, including Brazil. Especially in the states of the Northern Region, in Amazonas there was a great initial impact of this disease, with the elderly population being the most affected age group. The state of Amazonas had a high mortality rate and the appearance of more serious forms of the disease in elderly people younger than those reported in other states. These results suggested that the elderly population of Amazonas could have a higher prevalence of developing sequelae left by the disease. Considering that COVID-19 is ultimately considered a state of hyperinflammation, it is possible that such sequelae are associated with the establishment of chronic oxidative and metabolic conditions and can be identified through the analysis of blood markers. Objective: to analyze the association between biochemical and oxidative markers and self-perception of functional sequelae related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in elderly people. Methodology: Methodology: A prospective longitudinal study, with six months of follow-up. Conducted in the city of Manaus-AM, using an opportunistic sample of 55 elderly people with a previous history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, selected from the Open University of the Third Age Foundation (FUnATI). Initially, their vital signs were checked and an anamnesis was taken via structured interview, then a socioeconomic and demographic survey of the study population was carried out, and a research instrument was applied to analyze the Functional Clinical Vulnerability Index (IVCF-20). In a second stage, a Likert-type self-report scale was developed and applied with the aim of evaluating the occurrence, type and severity of functional sequelae related to COVID-19 in the elderly and together with a collection of venous blood to carry out analysis. biochemical and oxidative laboratory tests. Results: Our data indicate that a significant proportion of elderly survivors of COVID-19 self-reported the occurrence and persistence of functional sequelae that generate a negative impact on their health after infection, highlighting the persistence of symptoms, such as coughing, shortness of breath and changes in physical and mental conditions, presence of fatigue, mobility difficulties and changes in appetite and weight. And the association of the sequelae observed with biochemical markers such as changes in levels of glucose, cholesterol and other indicators, while in oxidative markers, an increase in lipid peroxidation in the long term was observed. Conclusion: A significant number of elderly people who survived COVID-19 self-reported the presence and persistence of functional sequelae that had a negative impact on their post-infection health. This study offers deeper insight into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the elderly population, highlighting the importance of long-term health monitoring for this population, including interventions that aim to improve quality of life and manage persistent sequelae.