copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2021-12-09): The risk of acute myocarditis associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccination has garnered intense (social) media attention. However, myocarditis after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination is rare and usually resolves within days or weeks. Moreover, the risks of hospitalization and death associated with COVID-19 are greater than the risk associated with COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccination should be recommended in adolescents and adults. [...] As in ‘common’ viral myocarditis, myocarditis associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccination mainly occurs in young adults within 1 week of viral antigen-induced immune activation, but can sometimes occur in vaccine recipients with immune and genetic susceptibility to myocarditis. The risk ratio of myocarditis in a large study from Israel was 3.24 in the first 42 days after the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine2. By contrast, the risk ratio of myocarditis associated with COVID-19 was estimated to be 18.28 (ref.2). Importantly, most of the patients admitted to hospital with post-mRNA-vaccine myocarditis survived and recovered cardiac function within 1–5 weeks after an initial hospitalization of 3–5 days2,3,4,5. In addition, the higher proactive surveillance and public awareness in vaccinated people owing to intense media attention, and the reporting of unrelated myocarditis cases weeks to months after vaccination, might have resulted in an overestimation bias of this surplus risk compared with more passively collected historical data. [...] Montgomery, J. et al. Myocarditis following immunization with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in members of the US Military. JAMA Cardiol.6, 1202–1206 (2021).
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2023-11-30): Misrepresents source: None of the three studies found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines increase the risk of sudden death or metabolic cardiomyopathy, as McCullough claimed. One study of autopsies of vaccinated people clarified that none of the deaths were caused by the vaccine; another study was performed in people who showed no symptoms of heart problems and didn’t report any deaths, while the other study used very high doses of vaccine that aren’t comparable to doses used in vaccination. [...] During the interview, McCullough claimed that three studies—one from Krauson et al., another from Nakahara et al., and the other from Schreckenberg et al.—were evidence that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines caused "a form of metabolic cardiomyopathy" that could explain "sudden cardiac death"[1-3]. [...] The claim that these three studies point to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines causing "metabolic cardiomyopathy" and "sudden cardiac death" is baseless. As we explained above, McCullough’s statements about the studies misrepresent their findings or leave out important information that contradicts his claim. In fact, none of the studies found any association between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and sudden cardiac death or metabolic cardiomyopathy. Other published studies have also found no association between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden death or an increase in all-cause mortality.
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2021-01-21): SARS-CoV-2-induced endotheliitis and microvascular dysfunction are also relevant for the myocardium. The cytokine storm that is observed in severe COVID-19 (ref.72) is thought to result in vascular inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque instability, as well as in myocardial inflammation73,74,75,76,77,78. An acute COVID-19 cardiovascular syndrome can occur, which is characterized by an acute cardiac injury with cardiomyopathy, ventricular arrhythmias and haemodynamic instability in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease75. The cause of this injury is uncertain but is suspected to be related to myocarditis, microvascular injury, systemic cytokine-mediated injury or stress-related cardiomyopathy. ACE2 is highly expressed in arterial and venous endothelial cells, pericytes and also in cardiomyocytes. Therefore, acute cellular injury of cardiomyocytes caused by SARS-CoV-2 through ACE2-mediated entry and subsequent viral replication is considered important76,77,78. These pathologies can result in clinical manifestation in patients with COVID-19, such as acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial injury without obstructive coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart failure with or without cardiogenic shock, pericardial effusion and thromboembolic complications75. Whether COVID-19 primarily induces CVD or whether cardiovascular complications are predominantly a consequence of severe COVID-19 is still unsolved77. Most probably, both pathogenic courses are relevant for COVID-19. [...] Ponsford, M. J. et al. Cardiometabolic traits, sepsis, and severe COVID-19: a Mendelian randomization investigation. Circulation142, 1791–1793 (2020). Mendelian randomization analyses performed in this study show that a higher genetically proxied BMI was associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19.
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2023-02-01): Our population based study provides new prognostic information on myocarditis associated with vaccination. The low cumulative incidence of heart failure or death by 90 days for patients developing myocarditis after vaccination is reassuring. We previously found that the incidence of myocarditis after a second dose of mRNA vaccine was higher than after a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2 infection among younger patients.7 In this study, however, our findings strongly suggested that the clinical outcomes were substantially worse for myocarditis associated with covid-19 disease. Among younger patients with no predisposing comorbidities, we found that the risk of heart failure or death within 90 days of new onset myocarditis was about six times higher for patients with myocarditis associated with covid-19 disease than for those with myocarditis after vaccination. Also, comparing the incidence of myocarditis after vaccination versus after covid-19 disease might not be meaningful when determining recommendations for the use of mRNA vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Vaccination with mRNA vaccines has many well described beneficial properties, including protection against severe forms of covid-19 disease18 19 and death.18 20
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2024-06-04): Regardless of the presence of preexisting conditions, severe inflammation of the heart muscle can cause life-threatening myocarditis.1 Case studies show that COVID-19 viral infection injures cardiomyocytes, leading to acute myocardial injury in 8% patients.4 Acute cardiac injury, as shown by elevated cTnI levels, occurs in 8% to 62% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and is associated with greater severity, the need for mechanical ventilation, and death.2 In Wuhan, China, 5 of the first 41 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 had elevated cTnI levels (>28 pg/mL).3 [...] The mechanisms underlying COVID-19-related myocardial injury remain unclear, with questions around systemic vs local reactions and the initiation of ischemic vs inflammatory processes yet to be answered. However, clinical evidence indicates that COVID-19 negatively affects the cardiac system. Similarly, other acute viral infections are well documented to cause cardiac injury and acute myocarditis.3 Preexisting cardiac diseases such as hypertension and CVD increase the risk for COVID-19-related complications; and comorbidities such as obesity, pulmonary diseases, and diabetes increase the complexity of the illness and are associated with worse clinical outcomes.
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2024-01-22): References - Knight R, Walker V, Ip S, et al.; CVD-COVID-UK/COVID-IMPACT Consortium and the Longitudinal Health and Wellbeing COVID-19 National Core Study. Association of COVID-19 with major arterial and venous thrombotic diseases: a population-wide cohort study of 48 million adults in England and Wales. Circulation 2022;146:892–906. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.122.060785 PMID:36121907 - Burn E, Duarte-Salles T, Fernandez-Bertolin S, et al. Venous or arterial thrombosis and deaths among COVID-19 cases: a European network cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis 2022;22:1142–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00223-7 PMID:35576963 - DeCuir J, Surie D, Zhu Y, et al.; IVY Network. Effectiveness of monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in preventing COVID-19–associated invasive mechanical ventilation and death among immunocompetent adults during the Omicron variant period—IVY Network, 19 U.S. States, February 1, 2022–January 31, 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:463–8. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7217a3 PMID:37104244 - Link-Gelles R, Weber ZA, Reese SE, et al. Estimates of bivalent mRNA vaccine durability in preventing COVID-19-associated hospitalization and critical illness among adults with and without immunocompromising conditions—VISION Network, September 2022–April 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:579–88. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7221a3 PMID:37227984 - Al-Aly Z, Bowe B, Xie Y. Long COVID after breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nat Med 2022;28:1461–7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-01840-0 PMID:35614233 - Lu HY, Liao KM.
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2022-08-29): The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a strain that causes COVID-19. As of 15 May 2022, more than 520 million COVID-19 cases and 6.3 million deaths were reported globally (1). To combat the high burden of COVID-19, vaccines were introduced to reduce the risk of severe illness and deaths (2). Although the vaccines have proven to reduce severe COVID-19, cardiac complications, particularly myocarditis and pericarditis, have been associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (3–5). On the other hand, myocarditis is also one of the complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection (3, 6). However, the relative risk of myocarditis due to vaccines and infections is not well characterized. In severe form, myocarditis can result in chronic heart failure or death, which are important safety concerns. Given the high rate of vaccine hesitancy due to the fear of vaccine-induced serious adverse events such as cardiac complications, it is critical to characterize the relative risk of vaccine- and infection-induced myocarditis in the general population and determine the effect of sex and age on the risk. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we estimate the incidence of myocarditis due to SARS-CoV-2 infection vs. COVID-19 vaccination.
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2022-04-05): There is evidence that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine can cause myocarditis, particularly in cases of the previous exposure. With most patients presenting after both doses of the vaccine, or after the first dose with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, there may be a possibility of a hypersensitivity reaction occurring after the previous exposure [61, 64]. This reaction may be a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction due to the two- to three-day period between vaccine administration and onset of symptoms seen in most patients [56, 64]. The first vaccine dose could act to sensitize the immune system, while the second dose causes the activation of the effector phase of the immune system [64]. Activated immune cells may migrate to the myocardium leading to release of cytokines into the myocardium. This process can stimulate further immune cells to enter the myocardium, leading to inflammation and the patient may present with myocarditis.
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2022-08-22): Previous research from around the world, including reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has shown a potential increased risk of myocarditis after receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. [...] The analysis showed people infected with COVID-19 before receiving a vaccine were 11 times more at risk for developing myocarditis within 28 days of testing positive for the virus. But that risk was cut in half if a person was infected after receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The risk for myocarditis increased after receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and after a first, second and booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. But the risk of myocarditis associated with the vaccine was lower than the risk associated with COVID-19 infection before or after vaccination – with one exception. Men under 40 who received a second dose of the Moderna vaccine had a higher risk of myocarditis following vaccination. The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are available in the U.S.
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2023-09-20): Since the beginning of 2021, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected countless people as well as caused millions of deaths worldwide. The majority of SARS-CoV-2 infections do not pose a life-threatening risk to individuals without preexisting diseases; however, in cases of severe infection, uncontrolled immune responses can be triggered in the lungs, destroying epithelial cells and alveoli, causing pulmonary edema, a dangerous increase in vascular permeability and death.70,71 The spike protein, which is found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, facilitates the virus’s entry into host cells by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors on the surface of the host cells.72 Therefore, the spike protein represents a prime target for SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines encoding either the receptor-binding domain or the full-length spike protein. To date, two mRNA vaccines designed to target the spike protein of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have gained approval and widespread usage globally. These vaccines include mRNA-1273 developed by Moderna and BNT162b2 developed by BioNTech/Pfizer. Meanwhile, several other mRNA vaccines targeting the spike protein are currently undergoing clinical trials assessing their safety and efficacy.
Claim: Published studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause metabolic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (Peter McCullough, 2023-10-27)
Evidence (2020-07-10): SARS-CoV-2 can cause both direct cardiovascular sequelae and indirect cardiovascular sequelae, including myocardial injury, acute coronary syndromes (ACS), cardiomyopathy, acute cor pulmonale, arrhythmias, and cardiogenic shock, as well as the aforementioned thrombotic complications105,106. Myocardial injury, with elevation of cardiac biomarkers above the 99th percentile of the upper reference limit, occurred in 20–30% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with higher rates (55%) among those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease3,107. A greater frequency and magnitude of troponin elevations in hospitalized patients has been associated with more-severe disease and worse outcomes3,107. Biventricular cardiomyopathy has been reported in 7–33% of critically ill patients with COVID-1952,65. Isolated right ventricular failure with and without confirmed pulmonary embolism has also been reported108,109. Cardiac arrhythmias, including new-onset atrial fibrillation, heart block, and ventricular arrhythmias, are also prevalent, occurring in 17% of hospitalized patients and 44% of patients in the ICU setting in a study of 138 patients from Wuhan, China110. In a multicenter New York City cohort, 6% of 4,250 patients with COVID-19 had prolonged QTc (corrected QT; >500 ms) at the time of admission111. [...] Other potential etiologies of myocardial damage not specific to COVID-19 include severe ischemia or MI in patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease, stress-mediated myocardial dysfunction, tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, and myocardial stunning after resuscitation or prolonged hypotension. [...] Shi, S. et al. Association of cardiac injury with mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. JAMA Cardiol. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamacardio.2020.0950 (2020).
Claim: There is nothing wrong with the thyroid in patients with Hashimoto’s disease; vitamin B is a cure for Hashimoto’s disease (Gary Brecka, 2024-07-21)
Evidence (2024-07-21): Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the thyroid. Over time, it may impair the secretion of thyroid hormones and cause symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, muscle soreness, dry skin, and sensitivity to cold. A standard treatment for Hashimoto’s disease is hormone replacement using a synthetic thyroid hormone.
Claim: There is nothing wrong with the thyroid in patients with Hashimoto’s disease; vitamin B is a cure for Hashimoto’s disease (Gary Brecka, 2024-07-21)
Evidence (2024-01-19): Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that happens to affect the thyroid gland. This means that our immune system recognizes the thyroid gland as a foreign invader and begins to attack it, eventually leading to the destruction of our thyroid tissue. When this destruction goes on long enough, the person will lose their ability to produce thyroid hormone. [...] Hashimoto’s is the most common autoimmune condition, but the thyroid gland is not always the "weakest link" for everyone. A person may start off with a different autoimmune condition, like celiac disease, and then progress to Hashimoto’s. [...] While there is no cure for Hashimoto’s, we can put it into remission by eliminating the underlying triggers and thyroid antibodies — and in many cases, we can regenerate and heal thyroid tissues using innovative, experimental therapies.
Claim: There is nothing wrong with the thyroid in patients with Hashimoto’s disease; vitamin B is a cure for Hashimoto’s disease (Gary Brecka, 2024-07-21)
Evidence (2024-02-08): Hashimoto thyroiditis, like Graves disease, is sometimes associated with other autoimmune disorders, including Addison disease (adrenal insufficiency), type 1 diabetes mellitus, hypoparathyroidism, vitiligo, premature graying of hair, pernicious anemia, systemic rheumatic diseases (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome), celiac disease, and type 2 polyglandular deficiency syndrome (Schmidt syndrome—a combination of Addison disease with hypothyroidism secondary to Hashimoto thyroiditis and/or type 1 diabetes mellitus). There may be an increased incidence of thyroid tumors, rarely thyroid lymphoma. Pathologically, there is extensive infiltration of lymphocytes with lymphoid follicles and scarring. [...] Treatment of Hashimoto Thyroiditis Hashimoto thyroiditis is autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid.
Claim: There is nothing wrong with the thyroid in patients with Hashimoto’s disease; vitamin B is a cure for Hashimoto’s disease (Gary Brecka, 2024-07-21)
Evidence (2024-09-25): Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a common autoimmune condition that affects your thyroid gland, leading to various symptoms and potential complications. Hashimoto’s is also the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Understanding the different stages of Hashimoto’s can be crucial for effective management and treatment. By recognizing the signs and symptoms associated with each stage, you can work closely with your healthcare providers to optimize your care and improve your quality of life. Let’s explore the stages of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis to help you identify where you may be in your journey with this condition. At this first stage, the main characteristic is an increased risk of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or other autoimmune diseases due to a genetic predisposition. At this stage, your thyroid will function normally, and your thyroid levels, including the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody test used to diagnose Hashimoto’s, are all likely to be normal. [...] Other autoimmune conditions that Hashimoto’s patients may develop include lupus, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. These conditions, like Hashimoto’s, involve the immune system attacking healthy tissues in the body, leading to various symptoms and complications.
Claim: There is nothing wrong with the thyroid in patients with Hashimoto’s disease; vitamin B is a cure for Hashimoto’s disease (Gary Brecka, 2024-07-21)
Evidence (2024-08-22): In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system produces antibodies that attack your thyroid gland, usually resulting in hypothyroidism. But if you’ve had your thyroid surgically removed, does that eliminate or cure Hashimoto’s disease? Can you still have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis after surgically removing your thyroid gland? Ahead, we’ll explore the answers to this intriguing question. [...] Hashimoto’s disease is also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis. [...] The primary treatment for Hashimoto’s disease is taking thyroid hormone replacement medication to replace the hormone that the thyroid gland can no longer produce and restore thyroid hormone levels to normal.
Claim: There is nothing wrong with the thyroid in patients with Hashimoto’s disease; vitamin B is a cure for Hashimoto’s disease (Gary Brecka, 2024-07-21)
Evidence (2024-08-22): Hashimoto’s is a common autoimmune condition that is the primary cause of hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid – in the United States, and millions of people are living with these conditions across the globe. [...] Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. When you have Hashimoto’s disease, your immune system produces antibodies that mistakenly attack and destroy thyroid cells. Over time, the destruction of thyroid cells results in an underactive thyroid. Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Because of the resulting hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s symptoms mirror those of an underactive thyroid. Because Hashimoto’s involves inflammation of the thyroid gland, patients can also have goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland), discomfort in the neck or throat, and lumps or nodules in the thyroid.
Claim: There is nothing wrong with the thyroid in patients with Hashimoto’s disease; vitamin B is a cure for Hashimoto’s disease (Gary Brecka, 2024-07-21)
Evidence (2024-09-13): This information is important because it means that if you have low thyroid function there’s a HIGH probability that it’s from Hashimoto’s, whether you realize it or not. [...] Hashimoto’s does NOT result in long-term hyperthyroidism so your symptoms will always eventually go back to hypothyroidism. [...] Patients with end-stage Hashimoto’s are REQUIRED to be on thyroid hormone for the rest of their lives because their own thyroid gland no longer functions to produce it.