Yale LISTEN Study - Interview with Dr. Mitsuaki Sawano about PVS and Long COVID Symptoms

In this enlightening conversation, renowned cardiologist Dr. Mitsuaki Sawano, MD, PhD joins us to explore a groundbreaking study comparing post-vaccination syndrome (PVS) and long COVID. Drawing from the recent medRxiv preprint published August 14, 2025, “Comparative Analysis of Long COVID and Post-Vaccination Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study of Clinical Symptoms and Machine Learning-Based Differentiation,” the discussion delves into the distinct and overlapping clinical symptom profiles identified in 682 individuals (441 with long COVID and 241 with PVS) 

Link to the Study

Key Highlights:
- Defining the Groups: Participants self-reported symptoms linked either to prior COVID-19 infection (long COVID) or to onset shortly after vaccination (PVS); those reporting both were excluded to maintain clear-group separation.

- Symptom Clustering and Machine Learning: By applying co-clustering and gradient-boosted tree models, researchers identified distinct symptom clusters—neurological, multi-system, and psychiatric/sleep-related—and achieved an AUC of 0.79 in distinguishing between long COVID and PVS.

- Differentiating Symptoms: Long COVID was more strongly associated with altered sense of smell or taste and persistent cough, whereas PVS showed higher prevalence of burning sensations, neuropathy, numbness, and tingling.

- Dr. Sawano addresses these findings with clarity and depth, highlighting the importance of recognizing these symptom differences for more precise clinical diagnosis, tailored patient care, and further research into underlying mechanisms.

- During the video segment, Dr. Sawano also responds to audience questions, offering insights into the overlap between PVS and long COVID, the novelty of the study’s approach, and the broader implications for cardiovascular involvement.

Dr. Sawano's Info

Disclaimer:
This video is not intended to provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice; it also does not constitute provision of healthcare services. The content provided in this video is for informational and educational purposes only.
Please consult with a physician or healthcare professional regarding any medical or mental health related diagnosis or treatment. No information in this video should ever be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.