University of Utah Health Sees More than 3,100 Patients at Long COVID Clinic Since Opening

The Long COVID Clinic at University of Utah Health is embarking on its third year, helping more than 3,100 patients from Utah and surrounding states with prolonged symptoms of COVID-19. The Long COVID Clinic opened in July 2021 to help coordinate care for patients and connect them with physicians and practitioners in over 10 specialties across U of U Health.

Expansion of Care and Specialized Services

Since that time, the number of sub-specialties in the clinic has more than doubled. Some of the most common include pulmonary, neurology, and psychiatry. Long COVID impacts one in five adults and can affect anyone who has experienced mild, moderate, and severe cases of COVID-19.

To help provide comprehensive care, each patient has an initial one-hour visit to go over symptoms. Patients will then be referred to different specialists to either help them manage or overcome their symptoms. Thanks to efforts from Representative Melissa Ballard, patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or out of network can be helped and treated at the Long COVID Clinic.

Patient Demographics and Community Impact

At the clinic located at University of Utah Hospital, data gathered about long COVID patients shows significant trends. “Long COVID has had a huge community impact,” says Jeanette Brown, MD, director of the Long COVID Clinic at U of U Health. “Patients are unable to care for their families or go to work. We’re looking at these symptoms and saying what can we really do to help these people.”

Long COVID Patient Data Highlights:

• Female patients: 67%
• From rural and underserved areas: 49%
• Average age range: Between 26 and 62 (Median age: 46)
• Working reduced hours: 40%
• Unable to work: 20%
• Geographic reach: Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming

Identifying Symptoms and Tailored Treatment

There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating long COVID patients. The impacts from the virus are so widespread that as many as 50 symptoms have been identified. “What has been one of the most challenging aspects about treating those with long COVID is that each patient has a unique set of symptoms,” Brown says. Additionally, there is no diagnostic test that can provide a definitive answer.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Muscle/body aches
• Difficulty concentrating (brain fog)
• Inability to exercise
• Headache
• Difficulty sleeping
• Anxiety
• Memory problems
• Dizziness

“One of the lessons we have learned from COVID-19 is to listen to your patients and to tailor their treatments to their needs,” Brown says. “We really have to think broadly about every patient to find the right support and care.” Three years later, the clinic continues to see new patients, and oftentimes, patients come back to the clinic after a relapse in their symptoms when re-infected by COVID-19 or another viral illness.

Research and Collaborative Efforts

University of Utah is also involved in COVID-19 research. Patients who come to the clinic may be eligible to participate in important research that can deepen the understanding of COVID-19 and its impacts. Previous research from the clinic has investigated the risk of long COVID for people who get COVID-19 while pregnant.

Current research is looking into how people with long COVID can best pace themselves to avoid extreme fatigue, and how patients might use wearable devices like smart watches to no push themselves too hard. U of U Health works collaboratively with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Together, they are sharing data to better understand how long COVID impacts Utahns and better help those who are suffering through life-altering symptoms.