Biomarkers in Long COVID - Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An observational study using biomarkers to phenotype Long COVID to help guide diagnosis, severity stratification, monitoring and potential future management.
IRAS ID
318704
Contact name
Swapna Mandal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
There are a reported 1.8 million people living in the UK with troublesome and persistent symptoms following acute infection with COVID-19. This is otherwise known as Long COVID and can be defined as 2 or more symptoms persistent for 12 weeks or longer following acute infection. Patients tend to prevent with a wide variety of symptoms but most commonly they experience excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell and taste, cognitive ('brain fog') and psychological (anxiety and depression) disturbances. The consequences of Long COVID are significant and include enormous detriment to patients' quality of life as well as significant socio-economic implications including inability to work or to attend education.
Currently, there is no single diagnostic test for Long COVID and currently diagnosis is made clinically. Due to the lack of specific tests for Long COVID it can be difficult to accurately assess for severity of the disease and monitor for effectiveness of the treatments that are given. Therapeutic treatments are currently limited and therefore a multidisciplinary approach involving targeted supportive interventions is best practice for management.
The main purpose of this study is to identify a panel of biomarkers (specific proteins found in the blood, urine or nasal swab) to help diagnose, assess severity of disease and monitor effectiveness of treatments given in Long COVID. The ability to more easily diagnose Long COVID should lead to greater identification of patients living with the condition and therefore allow for a greater number of patients to receive treatment. Furthermore, the ability to accurately measure the effectiveness of treatments through a blood test should create further opportunity for research in potential treatments for Long COVID. Ultimately, the aim would be that this panel of biomarkers improves patient care by facilitating research into new and effective treatments for patients suffering with Long COVID.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0112
Date of REC Opinion
10 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion