PREreview of Incidence of Symptoms Associated with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Non-Hospitalized Vaccinated Patients Receiving Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir

Covid 19 presented a varied range of symptoms in different infected individuals. Effects range from nonsymptomatic to severe symptoms leading to even death of individuals. In this study, authors have shown the effect of NMV-r (antiviral drugs) on post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) in vaccinated individuals. The authors observed that there was a reduction in PASC in non-hospitalized vaccinated patients after NMV-r treatment (during the first 5 days of diagnosis).

The authors have discussed the methods and statistical analysis in detail and have also talked about limitations at each point. The study is novel and can lead to future research with reduced limitations of data acquisition and the use of predefined definitions during patient data acquisition. Their conclusion is supported by data that shows 11-21% of reduction in PASC.

Limitations of the study can be listed below, and the authors have also discussed most of them:

As the data come from an EHR-based TNX research network so the accuracy of data entered by the clinical providers during the whole acquisition becomes a cause of concern.

As there is no accounting of differences that can influence the results independently. As the groups are significantly different from each other and lack of placebo-controlled trials is a limitation.

As the severity of PASC is defined by the statement of patients and not a readout by the clinical test so that can cause variability.

Only the reduction of symptoms has been targeted and rebound symptoms/increased risk has not been accounted for.

As vaccinated patients have been used in the study and vaccination has been shown to reduce risk itself by 15-50% so that also becomes a variable.

Overall, the study is novel, and it sets up the platform for future studies. Authors have bravely talked about the limitations to keep it more open to readers. This article can help in further studies to design and define well leading to the least variability and more robust results and conclusions.

Competing interests

The author declares that they have no competing interests.