COVID-19 is a novel disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that primarily affects the lungs butalso various other organs of the body already in early stages of the disease. Due to themultiple organ involvements in the acute phase, it is conceivable that - in a significantproportion of patients - longterm sequels in various organ systems might occur, therebyimpacting the individual's health status and quality of life; and posing a relevantburden to the resources of the health care systemAssessment 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 ofthe prevalence of such SARS-CoV-2 sequels on the population level, it is important tocollect follow-up data and to comprehensively re-examine a population-representativesample of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals.Within the COVIDOM study we will conduct deep clinical and biochemical phenotyping inpopulation-representative samples in Germany. This will allow novel insights into diseasepathogenesis 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