New Study May Help 'Predict' Who Will Get Severe COVID-19 Cases

[flamingdem]

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/study-identifies-clusters-covid-19-symptoms_l_5f2045aac5b638cfec4a9abd?fbclid=IwAR03Xqh5WVXYvGY_Inlnj_QMQvdsjDwNiz6KUTiTvc4id0pBPClXOX4DdcQ

A new study found that COVID-19 symptoms come in six different “clusters,” which may help predict which patients are more at risk and in need of respiratory support.

For the study, researchers used a machine learning algorithm to analyze data from more than 1,600 patients in the U.S. and the U.K. who had tested positive for COVID-19 and had regularly logged their symptoms on the Zoe health app in March and April. Researchers then tested the algorithm by using it on an additional 1,047 patients in the U.S., the U.K. and Sweden, who entered their symptoms on the app throughout May.

The study identified six clusters of symptoms:

Cluster 1 (“flulike” with no fever): Headache, loss of smell, muscle pains, cough, sore throat, chest pain, no fever

Cluster 2 (“flulike” with fever): Headache, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fever, loss of appetite

Cluster 3 (gastrointestinal): Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sore throat, chest pain, no cough

Cluster 4 (severe level one, fatigue): Headache, loss of smell, cough, fever, hoarseness, chest pain, fatigue

Cluster 5 (severe level two, confusion): Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain

Cluster 6 (severe level three, abdominal and respiratory): Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, abdominal pain
David Sacks via Getty Images

“Although continuous cough, fever and loss of smell (anosmia) are usually highlighted as the three key symptoms of COVID-19, data gathered from app users shows that people can experience a wide range of different symptoms, including headaches, muscle pains, fatigue, diarrhea, confusion, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and more,” notes a statement published on the Zoe app. “The progression and outcomes also vary significantly between people, ranging from mild flulike symptoms or a simple rash to severe or fatal disease.”

[unblock]

1. fatigue looks like the key symptom dividing severe from mild cases.

i know, we shouldn't overly focus on any one symptom....

[magicarpet]

2. Nice info,... THX.

[Dream Girl]

3. If someone is really ill, I don't think they're going to feel like logging their symptoms

Into an app. Wouldn’t this bias the data set? Wat am I missing?