(P03-033-24) Dietary Supplements for Long-Haul COVID: Information Shared in Online Support Groups

Objectives: Long-haul COVID lacks clear guidelines for treatment. Patients search for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies to ease their symptoms. This study examined CAM therapies discussed by members of online support groups for long-haul COVID.

Methods: Two public Facebook groups (total of 104,228 members) were observed during March-April 2023. The investigators recorded CAM therapies and corresponding symptoms discussed by group members in daily posts. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize frequencies of CAM therapies and symptoms. Subsequently, a literature review was conducted to examine availability of evidence supporting the use of a specific CAM therapy to manage a specific symptom, for example, magnesium for brain fog. A total of 21 CAM-symptom associations were evaluated.

Results: During the observation period, 27 different CAM therapies were discussed. Of those, 59% and 15% were dietary supplements and dietary modifications, respectively. Most frequently mentioned therapies, in descending order, were magnesium, a low carbohydrate diet, turmeric, N-acetylcysteine, a low histamine diet, vitamin D, and quercetin. Most frequently mentioned symptoms included brain fog, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, shortness of breath, anxiety/depression, and inflammation. Each of the top seven therapies was used for multiple symptoms. Based on literature, evidence of effectiveness was available for 67% of the CAM-symptom associations.

Conclusions: Information about CAM therapies that is being shared by members of online support groups can be useful to healthcare providers who treat patients with long-haul COVID. The anecdotal benefits described by group members are in part supported by studies, but the strength and quality of evidence as well as the direct effect of CAM therapies on COVID symptoms require investigation.

Funding Sources: None