Relationship Between Fatigue, Perceived Social Support and Symptomatology of Long-COVID Patients in Spain.
Miguel Madrigal, Veronica Velasco-Gonzalez, Lourdes Jiménez-Navascués and 6 others
PMID 40586228WHAT IT FOUND
Spanish Long-COVID patients with higher fatigue reported lower social support, and symptoms affecting movement were linked to low support.
The survey shows association, not that support reduces symptoms.
Key findings
01In 374 Spanish Long-COVID patients, 54.5% were classified as having a high level of fatigue, and the mean perceived social support score was 38.21 on a scale from 11 to 55.
02Higher fatigue severity was included in the models predicting lower total perceived social support and lower affective support.
03The model separating low from normal perceived social support retained locomotive symptoms, with an odds ratio of 6.75.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was non-random and came from volunteers in Long-COVID patient associations, so it may not represent people with Long-COVID who are not in associations. Data were collected through online self-administered questionnaires, which may have excluded people without internet access or confidence with electronic devices. Responses were self-reported and could be influenced by personal expectations or social prejudices about support. The study measured symptoms and perceived support at one time point, so it cannot show whether low support causes symptoms, whether symptoms reduce support, or both. The authors note possible self-selection bias and lower male representation in the sample.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that increasing social support will reduce Long-COVID fatigue or symptoms. The study measured perceived support and symptoms at one time in volunteers from patient associations, so it shows association, not cause.