Ella Frances Eastin

All Publications

• Chronic autonomic symptom burden in long-COVID: a follow-up cohort study. Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society Eastin, E. F., Machnik, J. V., Stiles, L. E., Larsen, N. W., Seliger, J., Geng, L. N., Bonilla, H., Yang, P. C., Miglis, M. G. 2025

  Abstract

  Autonomic dysfunction is a common and often debilitating feature of long-COVID (LC), however, studies evaluating frequency and severity of chronic autonomic dysfunction in LC are limited. We utilized an established online cohort of participants with LC to assess duration and severity of autonomic dysfunction, impact on quality of life, risk factors of autonomic diagnoses including postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and efficacy of common treatments.Our international cohort included 526 adults with LC aged 20-65 years who previously completed baseline evaluations of LC symptoms, autonomic symptom burden, and quality of life. Participants repeated survey instruments and completed new instruments assessing risk factors and symptom mitigation strategies. A subset of individuals completed a 10-min active stand test. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of autonomic symptom burden and incident autonomic diagnoses including POTS.A total of 71.9% of participants with LC had a Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31 (COMPASS-31) score ≥ 20, suggestive of moderate-to-severe autonomic dysfunction. The median symptom duration was 36 [30-40] months, and 37.5% of participants could no longer work or had to drop out of school due to their illness. In addition, 40.5% of individuals with autonomic dysfunction were newly diagnosed with POTS, representing 33% of the total LC cohort. Female sex and joint hypermobility were associated with an increased risk of autonomic dysfunction.Evidence of chronic moderate-to-severe autonomic dysfunction was seen in most participants with LC in our cohort and was significantly associated with reduced quality of life and functional disability. POTS was the most common post-COVID autonomic diagnosis.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10286-025-01111-1

  View details for PubMedID 39907931

  View details for PubMedCentralID 9639503

• New Alcohol Sensitivity in Patients With Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC): A Case Series. Cureus Eastin, E. F., Tiwari, A., Quach, T. C., Bonilla, H. F., Miglis, M. G., Yang, P. C., Geng, L. N. 2023; 15 (12): e51286

  Abstract

  Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or long COVID, is characterized by persistent symptoms after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection that can vary from patient to patient. Here, we present a case series of four patients with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection referred to the Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) Clinic at Stanford University for evaluation of persistent symptoms, who also experienced new-onset alcohol sensitivity. Alcohol reactions and sensitivity are not well characterized in the literature as it relates to post-viral illness. While there have been some anecdotal reports of new alcohol sensitivity in PASC patients in the media, there is a paucity of published data in the medical literature about this topic. During their medical consultation, the patients self-reported new changes in their symptoms or behaviors following the use of alcohol. A new onset of alcohol sensitivities should be assessed along with other post-COVID-19 symptoms and may provide novel avenues to explore the pathobiology of illness and potential interventions.

  View details for DOI 10.7759/cureus.51286

  View details for PubMedID 38288178

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10823305

• Postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive use among active-duty, female U.S. Army soldiers. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Eastin, E. F., Nelson, D. A., Shaw, J. G., Shaw, K. A., Kurina, L. M. 2023

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Postpartum utilization of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) has been found to be effective at increasing inter-pregnancy intervals, reducing unintended pregnancies, and optimizing health outcomes for mothers and babies. Among female active-duty military members, reproductive planning may be particularly important, yet little is known about postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive use among active-duty soldiers.OBJECTIVES: (1) To quantify postpartum uptake of long-acting reversible contraception among U.S. Army active-duty female soldiers, and (2) to identify demographic and military-specific characteristics associated with utilization.STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study used longitudinal data on all digitally recorded health encounters for active-duty U.S. Army soldiers from 2014-2017. The servicewomen included in our analysis were aged 18-44 years with at least one delivery and a minimum of four months of total observed time post-delivery within the study period. We defined postpartum long-acting reversible contraception utilization as initiation in the delivery month or in the three calendar months following delivery, and identified likely immediate postpartum initiation via the proxy of placement recorded during the same month as delivery. We then evaluated predictors of postpartum long-acting reversible contraception utilization using multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 15,843 soldiers. Of those, 3,162 (19.96%) received a method of long-acting reversible contraception in the month of, or within the three months following, delivery. Fewer than 5% of these women utilized immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception. Among women receiving a postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive method, 1,803 (57.0%) received an IUD, 1,328 (42.0%) received an etonogestrel implant and 31 received both (0.98%). Soldiers of younger age, self-reported White race, and those married or previously married were more likely to initiate long-acting reversible contraception in the postpartum period. Race-stratified analyses showed that self-reported White women had the highest utilization rates overall. Compared to these women, the adjusted odds of postpartum utilization among self-reported Black and Asian/Pacific Islander women were 18% and 30% lower, respectively (both p<0.001). There was also a trend of decreasing postpartum utilization with increasing age within each race group. Differences observed between age groups and race identities could partially be attributed to differential utilization of permanent contraception (sterilization), which was found to be significantly more prevalent among both women aged 30 years or older, as well as among Black-identifying women.CONCLUSION: Among active-duty U.S. Army servicewomen, one in five utilized postpartum long-acting reversible contraception, with fewer than 5 percent of these women utilizing an immediate postpartum method. Within this population with universal healthcare coverage, we observed relatively low rates of utilization and significant differences in uptake of effective postpartum long-acting contraceptive methods across self-reported race categories.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.07.023

  View details for PubMedID 37460035

• Orthostatic intolerance as a potential contributor to prolonged fatigue and inconsistent performance in elite swimmers. BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation Petracek, L. S., Eastin, E. F., Rowe, I. R., Rowe, P. C. 2022; 14 (1): 139

  Abstract

  Athletic underperformance is characterized by fatigue and an inability to sustain a consistent exercise workload. We describe five elite swimmers with prolonged fatigue and athletic underperformance. Based on our work in myalgic encephalomyelitis /chronic fatigue syndrome, we focused on orthostatic intolerance as a possible contributor to symptoms.Participants were referred for evaluation of fatigue and underperformance to the Chronic Fatigue Clinic at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. All patients were evaluated for overtraining syndrome, as well as for features commonly seen in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. The latter included joint hypermobility, orthostatic intolerance, and non-IgE mediated milk protein intolerance. Orthostatic intolerance was tested by performing a ten-minute passive standing test or a head-up tilt table test.Orthostatic testing provoked fatigue and other symptoms in all five swimmers, two of whom met heart rate criteria for postural tachycardia syndrome. Treatment was individualized, primarily consisting of an increased intake of sodium chloride and fluids to address orthostasis. All patients experienced a relatively prompt improvement in fatigue and other orthostatic symptoms and were able to either return to their expected level of performance or improve their practice consistency.Orthostatic intolerance was an easily measured and treatable contributor to athletic underperformance in the five elite swimmers we describe. We suggest that passive standing tests or formal tilt table tests be incorporated into the clinical evaluation of athletes with fatigue and underperformance as well as into scientific studies of this topic. Recognition and treatment of orthostatic intolerance provides a new avenue for improving outcomes in underperforming athletes.

  View details for DOI 10.1186/s13102-022-00529-8

  View details for PubMedID 35870963

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9308026

• Long-Term COVID 19 Sequelae in Adolescents: the Overlap with Orthostatic Intolerance and ME/CFS. Current pediatrics reports Morrow, A. K., Malone, L. A., Kokorelis, C., Petracek, L. S., Eastin, E. F., Lobner, K. L., Neuendorff, L., Rowe, P. C. 2022; 10 (2): 31-44

  Abstract

  To discuss emerging understandings of adolescent long COVID or post-COVID-19 conditions, including proposed clinical definitions, common symptoms, epidemiology, overlaps with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and orthostatic intolerance, and preliminary guidance on management.The recent World Health Organization clinical case definition of post-COVID-19 condition requires a history of probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, with symptoms starting within 3 months of the onset of COVID-19. Symptoms must last for at least 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Common symptoms of the post-COVID-19 condition include, but are not limited to, fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction. These symptoms generally have an impact on everyday functioning. The incidence of prolonged symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection has proven challenging to define, but it is now clear that those with relatively mild initial infections, without severe initial respiratory disease or end-organ injury, can still develop chronic impairments, with symptoms that overlap with conditions like ME/CFS (profound fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction, and orthostatic intolerance).We do not yet have a clear understanding of the mechanisms by which individuals develop post-COVID-19 conditions. There may be several distinct types of long COVID that require different treatments. At this point, there is no single pharmacologic agent to effectively treat all symptoms. Because some presentations of post-COVID-19 conditions mimic disorders such as ME/CFS, treatment guidelines for this and related conditions can be helpful for managing post-COVID-19 symptoms.The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40124-022-00261-4.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s40124-022-00261-4

  View details for PubMedID 35287333

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8906524