A Fasting Pilot Study for Long COVID

Université de Sherbrooke25 enrolled

Overview

Background Long COVID (LC) is a chronic multisystemic condition which substantially impact the quality of life. Despite the staggering burden of LC, there is still no effective treatment. Because fasting promotes anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses, which are involved in the pathophysiology of LC, we hypothesized that it might improve daily functioning and health-related quality of life in patients with LC. The aim of this single center, one arm, prospective pilot clinical trial will be to assess the feasibility and acceptability of prolonged fasting for LC. The main questions aims to answers are; 1. Does in-home prolonged fasting (7 days) is feasible and acceptable for patients with LC 2. Is there a clinical benefit associated with fasting is LC patients Participants (adults 18 year and older) will be asked to 1. Fast for 7 days 2. Have in-person visit at baseline (day 0) and at day 9 for checkups and tests 3. Answer difference questionnnaires about their perceived health during and after fasting

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Long COVID Syndrome

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-64 years * Diagnosis Long Covid based on WHO criteria (post-acute COVID-19 symptoms persisting ≥12 weeks) and validiated by an experienced cinician * Normal body Mass Index (18.5 to 39 kg/m2) * Able to communicate in and comprehend English and/or French language * Present written / signed declaration of consent * Ability to understand the patient information and willingness to sign the consent form * Willing to limit physical activity during prolonged fasting Exclusion Criteria: * Current underweight condition (body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m2) or weight loss exceeding 3 kg within the last month or 5 kg within the last three months. * Current or history of eating disorder (e.g., anorexia, bulimia). * Psychiatric condition that limits understanding of the examination protocol (unable to consent) * Participation in another intervention study. * Fasting during the last six months * Pregnancy or breastfeeding status. * Diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease or colorectal cancer according to the guidelines of the Canadian Society of Gastroenterology * Use of anti-psychotic drugs * Start of novel drug therapy for long COVID * Contraindication for additional blood draws (e.g. hemoglobin \<100) * Taking opioid analgesics or undergoing treatment for opioid addiction * Opioid dependence or withdrawal syndrome * Type 1 or 2 Diabetes, or history of hypoglycemia * Active cancer * Baseline E+ (Na, K, Mg, phosphate) within normal range * Baseline ALT \< 60 * Baseline Hb \> 100 * Baseline INR within normal range * Baseline DFG \< 50

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Feasibility and Acceptability

Retention rates will be used to measure feasibility and response to Likert-like questions for measuring acceptability

Time frame: From baseline (day 0) to end of follow up day 30

Secondary Outcomes

Mean changes from baseline to one month post-fasting on the SF 36 physical component score questionnaire

The SF 36 questionnaire is a validated scale for assessment and monitoring of patients with LC. The 36-item scale includes 8 subscales : role functioning-physical, body pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role functioning-emotional, and mental health.

Time frame: From baseline (day 0) to the end of follow up at day 30