COVID-19 is a novel disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that primarily affects the lungs but also various other organs of the body already in early stages of the disease. Due to the multiple organ involvements in the acute phase, it is conceivable that - in a significant proportion of patients - longterm sequels in various organ systems might occur, thereby impacting the individual's health status and quality of life; and posing a relevant burden to the resources of the health care system Assessment of SARS-CoV-2-longterm morbidity and sequels on the population level: In order to identify and treat these sequels in a timely fashion and to get a sense of the prevalence of such SARS-CoV-2 sequels on the population level, it is important to collect follow-up data and to comprehensively re-examine a population-representative sample of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. Within the COVIDOM study we will conduct deep clinical and biochemical phenotyping in population-representative samples in Germany. This will allow novel insights into disease pathogenesis and chronicity of virus infections.
Background:
COVID-19 is a novel disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Severity of infection in the acute phase
ranges from asymptomatic to critically ill and fatal courses of the disease. Besides the
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), also thromboembolic events and acute damages of
other organs are contributing to severe and critical courses of the disease in the acute
phase of the infection.
It is, however, largely unknown whether and to what extent different organs are affected in
individuals with milder courses of the disease.
Hypotheses:
1. Across all severity stages in the acute phase, SARS-CoV-2 infection causes longterm
damages in various organ systems in a significant proportion of patients.
2. Beyond the damages directly caused by the infection, also the behavioral changes
implemented to reduce the spread of the virus might impact an individual's health status
and quality of life.
3. The infection itself and the pandemic in general results in increased use of health care
resources.
Methods:
SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals in defined geographic regions will be contacted through the
responsible health authorities and will be informed about the study and invited to
participate. These individuals will presumably represent all severity grades in the initial
phase of the infection (asymptomatic, uncomplicated, complicated, critical course of disease)
and each of them will be offered a detailed clinical examination program that Includes
structural and functional assessment of various organ systems (lungs, cardiovascular, CNS
including smell/tase, liver), a comprehensive medical history, as well as psychological and
psychiatric assessments.
Other: Observation of different courses of SARS-CoV-2 infection in different phases (acute vs. post-acute) and settings
Oberservatory Cohorts focusing (I) on subjects after SARS-CoV-2 infection that are recruited from the general population (POP), and on subjects with acute SARS-CoV-2 infections recruited (II) in university hospital high-care settings or (III) general health care
Inclusion Criteria:
- PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection
- living in one of the target areas
- age at least 18 years
- written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection or reinfection
University Hospital Wuerzburg
Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany
University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel
Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
University Hospital Charité Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Stefan Schreiber, Prof. Dr.
0049 (0)431 500 22201
s.schreiber@mucosa.de
Thomas Bahmer, Prof. Dr.
0049 (0) 431 500 62629
thomas.bahmer@uksh.de
Stefan Schreiber, Prof. Dr., Study Director
Internal Medicine Department I, UKSH Kiel