Prevalence, pathophysiology, prediction and health-related quality of life of long COVID: study protocol of the longitudinal multiple cohort CORona Follow Up (CORFU) study

Chahinda Ghossein-Doha, Marieke S J N Wintjens, Emma B N J Janssen, Dorthe Klein, Stella C M Heemskerk, Folkert W Asselbergs, Erwin Birnie, Gouke J Bonsel, Bas C T van Bussel, Jochen W L Cals, Hugo Ten Cate, Juanita Haagsma, Bena Hemmen, Iwan C C van der Horst, Bastiaan L J H Kietselaer, Frederikus A Klok, Martijn D de Kruif, Marijke Linschoten, Susanne van Santen, Kevin VernooyLoes H Willems, Rosa Westerborg, Michiel Warle, Sander M J van Kuijk*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The variety, time patterns and long-term prognosis of persistent COVID-19 symptoms (long COVID-19) in patients who suffered from mild to severe acute COVID-19 are incompletely understood. Cohort studies will be combined to describe the prevalence of long COVID-19 symptoms, and to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms and impact on health-related quality of life. A prediction model for long COVID-19 will be developed and internally validated to guide care in future patients.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Data from seven COVID-19 cohorts will be aggregated in the longitudinal multiple cohort CORona Follow Up (CORFU) study. CORFU includes Dutch patients who suffered from COVID-19 at home, were hospitalised without or with intensive care unit treatment, needed inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation and controls who did not suffer from COVID-19. Individual cohort study designs were aligned and follow-up has been synchronised. Cohort participants will be followed up for a maximum of 24 months after acute infection. Next to the clinical characteristics measured in individual cohorts, the CORFU questionnaire on long COVID-19 outcomes and determinants will be administered digitally at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after the infection. The primary outcome is the prevalence of long COVID-19 symptoms up to 2 years after acute infection. Secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life (eg, EQ-5D), physical functioning, and the prevalence of thromboembolic complications, respiratory complications, cardiovascular diseases and endothelial dysfunction. A prediction model and a patient platform prototype will be developed.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval was obtained from the medical research ethics committee of Maastricht University Medical Center+ and Maastricht University (METC 2021-2990) and local committees of the participating cohorts. The project is supported by ZonMW and EuroQol Research Foundation. Results will be published in open access peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at (inter)national conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05240742.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere065142
Number of pages10
JournalBMJ Open
Volume12
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Nov 2022

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Cohort Studies
  • COVID-19/epidemiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Prevalence
  • Quality of Life

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