PhD Student, Research Assistant and Associate Lecturer at the University of Derby.
Birmingham, England
Joined February 2012
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Our new article is now out in Communications Medicine. Pleased to contribute to this review and focussed towards addressing the important knowledge gaps identified in Table 1 of this article.
After a slight delay.. our new article:
Current status and future perspectives on the mechanistic and pathophysiological understanding of long COVID
Is here: nature.com/articles/s43856-0…
Callum Thomas retweeted
Latest paper from @CallumThomas96 and our research group showing a reduction in oxygen extraction in the calf muslces during low intensity exercise/activity.
This has important implications for energy production and functional status...
physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.c…
#longcovid
Callum Thomas retweeted
Our latest work now posted as a pre-print on @researchsquare: "ME/CFS and Long COVID Demonstrate Similar Bioenergetic Impairment and Recovery Failure on Two-Day Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing" @4Workwell researchsquare.com/article/r…
Conclusion: Submaximal 2-day CPET demonstrated a reduction in oxygen uptake, oxygen pulse and partial pressure of end tidal carbon dioxide, suggesting dysfunctional oxygen transport, utilisation or both may contribute to Long COVID symptoms.
Detailed investigations are required to understand the complexities of Long COVID pathophysiology including the neurological and inflammatory responses that coordinate and bring about the cardiorespiratory limitations reported.
Implications: Dysfunctional oxygen transport, utilisation or both may contribute to Long COVID symptoms. Provided that appropriate and detailed screening processes are followed, submaximal CPET offers a safe and informative option to investigate Long COVID pathophysiology🧪.
Key results:
· Early onset of anaerobic energy contribution on both test days.
· A reduction in oxygen uptake, oxygen pulse and partial pressure of end tidal carbon dioxide at the first ventilatory threshold on day 2.
· No differences were observed between peak measures.
Using 2-day submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), submaximal measures were assessed between days at rest, first ventilatory threshold, and peak from 68 participants. Inclusion criteria and protocol were designed to minimise PEM risk & increase tolerability.
This data extends previous work which has found that exercise capacity is reduced in people with Long COVID (using a single maximal exercise test). However, only one study had investigated the utility of a 2-day approach and found just one difference in submaximal measures.
Additional steps and mitigation strategies were put in place by the study team to prevent this happening again and no further issues were reported.
For more detailed information about our study please continue to read our thread🧵.
We did not include those who were at a moderate-high risk for PEM but did find a way for those with low risk PEM to carefully participate, with only one adverse event reported.
Using some carefully controlled, low level cycle exercise we showed a scientific reason for why those with Long COVID may struggle to exercise, with some data indicating issues with energy production as early as the first minute of the test and a worsening effect 24-hours later.
A new peer-reviewed publication from our @DerbyUni x @sheffhallamuni x @Northumbriauni research team has been released online which suggests problems with oxygen transport, usage or both may contribute to Long COVID symptoms.
[link to publication]: physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.c…
Callum Thomas retweeted
And just like that we have completed the last patient visit in Derby for @ERASE_LC
A patient-led study with @DerbyUni @UHDBTrust @Pen_CTU and @UniofExeter seeking to help people with #LongCovid
Thanks to everyone, especially the participants who gave so much to this work.
ALT Three people stood looking directly at the camera.
ALT An exercise bike next to laboratory equipment.
ALT A sign on a door.
ALT A medicine in a infusion bag hanging from a drip stand.
A productive and enjoyable 5 weeks with the research team at @StellenboschUni in 2024 has culminated in the below publication. We hope this helps add to the pathophysiological understanding of #LongCovid #research
Thrilled to be co-author on this preprint with @CallumThomas96 and lead @DrMark_Faghy from @DerbyUni! Callum spent time in my lab @StellenboschUni. Check out the compelling findings with @JanPretorius98 @dbkell @drmassimonunes researchsquare.com/article/r…
Callum Thomas retweeted
Thrilled to be co-author on this preprint with @CallumThomas96 and lead @DrMark_Faghy from @DerbyUni! Callum spent time in my lab @StellenboschUni. Check out the compelling findings with @JanPretorius98 @dbkell @drmassimonunes researchsquare.com/article/r…