Long COVID
Conditions
Brief summary
This pragmatic clinical study aims to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a combined quercetin/curcumin supplement in adults experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of Long COVID-19. Participants will receive the combined quercetin/curcumin supplement for 2 months. The primary outcome is the improvement in overall symptom burden, while secondary outcomes include changes in quality of life, the need for NSAIDs, and inflammatory markers. The study seeks to provide real-world evidence of the potential benefits of this combined supplement in managing Long COVID-19 symptoms.
Detailed description
Long COVID-19, characterized by persistent symptoms lasting weeks or months after the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, presents a significant challenge for healthcare systems and affected individuals. Common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, muscle pain, joint pain, sleep disturbances, and generalized weakness. Despite extensive research, there are limited effective therapeutic options for managing Long COVID-19 symptoms. Quercetin and curcumin, two natural compounds with well-documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, have gained attention for their potential benefits in various inflammatory and infectious conditions. Quercetin, a flavonoid found in various fruits and vegetables, has been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduce oxidative stress, and modulate immune responses. Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa), is known for its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has demonstrated immune-modulating effects in clinical studies. Nasafytol® is a standardized combination supplement containing bioactive quercetin (65 mg) and curcumin (42 mg) from Curcuma longa, specifically formulated to enhance bioavailability and provide synergistic benefits. Both quercetin and curcumin in Nasafytol® are optimized for absorption and efficacy, making it a promising intervention for managing inflammatory and immune-related conditions. The combination of quercetin and curcumin in Nasafytol® is hypothesized to provide synergistic benefits in managing Long COVID-19 symptoms. This pragmatic clinical study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Nasafytol® in reducing symptom burden and improving quality of life in adults experiencing mild to moderate Long COVID-19 symptoms. Participants will receive the combined supplement for two months, with primary outcomes focused on symptom improvement and secondary outcomes assessing changes in quality of life, the need for NSAIDs, and inflammatory markers. The study is designed as a real-world pragmatic trial to provide evidence of the potential health benefits of Nasafytol® for Long COVID-19, addressing a critical gap in current management strategies.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTNasafytol® (Quercetin/Curcumin Supplement)
Participants in this group will receive Nasafytol®, a combined dietary supplement containing quercetin (65 mg) and curcumin (42 mg). Participants will take two capsules (single administration) twice a day for a duration of 8 weeks. The supplement is intended to alleviate mild to moderate symptoms of Long COVID-19, including but not limited to fatigue, cognitive function, generalized body pain, low mood, sleep disturbance, and overall quality of life.
Sponsors
Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
None (Open Label) (Participants and researchers will be aware of the treatment)
Intervention model description
This is a pragmatic, open-label clinical study evaluating the benefits of a combined quercetin/curcumin supplement (Nasafytol®) in adults experiencing mild to moderate Long COVID-19 symptoms.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age: 18 to 75 years. * History of confirmed COVID-19 infection at least 6 months prior to the enrollment. * Persistent mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms for at least 3 months post-acute infection. * Diagnosis of Long COVID-19 based on WHO criteria. * Symptom burden score of ≥25 at baseline (V0) on the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS). * At least one symptom scoring between 1-7 on the C19-YRS. * Stable medical condition: No recent hospitalization (past 3 months) due to acute illness. * Willing and able to adhere to the study protocol, including follow-up visits, symptom reporting, and compliance with supplementation
Exclusion criteria
* Hypersensitivity or allergy to quercetin, curcumin, or any component of the supplement (Nasafytol®). * Severe, uncontrolled chronic illness (e.g., severe heart failure, chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis, severe liver disease). * Regular use of quercetin or curcumin supplements within the last 3 months. * Use of anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, heparin, DOACs) due to potential anticoagulant effects of quercetin/curcumin. * Acute illness at the time of screening. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Use of immunosuppressive medications or corticosteroids within the past month. * Significant psychiatric disorder that may interfere with study compliance.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Overall Symptom Burden | 8 weeks | Assessment of overall symptom burden using the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS). Improvement will be defined as either a ≥2-point reduction in any single symptom domain or a ≥10% reduction in the total C19-YRS symptom burden score from baseline. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in the Need for Prescribed Medications or NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) | 8 weeks | Monitoring the frequency and dosage of prescribed medications or NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) used for symptom relief. This will be recorded using a participant-maintained medication log. |
| Change in Pain Severity and Pain Interference (Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form) | 8 weeks | The Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form (BPI-SF) is a validated, self-reported questionnaire that assesses the severity of pain and the impact of pain on daily functioning. The instrument includes items measuring pain intensity (worst, least, average, and current pain) and pain interference with general activity, mood, walking ability, normal work, relations with others, sleep, and enjoyment of life. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater pain severity or interference. |
| Change in Fatigue Severity (Fatigue Severity Scale) | 8 weeks | The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is a 9-item, self-administered questionnaire designed to assess the severity of fatigue and its impact on daily activities and functioning. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity. |
| Change in Functional Status and Quality of Life (SF-36 Scores) | 8 weeks | Assessment of quality of life using the SF-36 Health Survey, which evaluates eight domains, including physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, and emotional well-being. It provides two summary scores: physical and mental health components. |
| Change in Sleep Quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) | 8 weeks | The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a validated self-reported questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and sleep disturbances over a 1-month interval. It consists of 19 items generating seven component scores and a global score ranging from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. |
| Change in Cognitive Function (PROMIS Cognitive Function - Short Form 8a) | 8 weeks | The PROMIS® Cognitive Function - Short Form 8a is a validated, patient-reported outcome measure assessing perceived cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and mental clarity. The instrument consists of 8 items and is scored using standardized T-scores, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. |
| Change in Anxiety and Depression Symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) | 8 weeks | The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a validated, 14-item self-report instrument used to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. It consists of two subscales (anxiety and depression), each with 7 items. Subscale scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed