NoRCoRP Assessment Clinic [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Nottingham Recovery from COVID-19 Research Platform Assessment Clinic
IRAS ID
287256
Contact name
Charlotte Bolton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
11 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 13 million people worldwide with lots of illness and sadly many have died. After a hospitalization, many have been left with significant long-standing health problems relating to lung, heart, kidney, muscle and neurological health. However, a large majority of people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 did not require hospitalization, with many still suffering from poor health for which the long-term effects are unknown.
Whilst other studies are focussing on the needs of COVID-19 survivors who were hospitalized, there is an unmet need to address the healthcare requirements in those individuals who did not require a hospitalization. This study will recruit those who have not been hospitalized for COVID-19 but have been referred into a post-COVID-19 clinic due to COVID-related problems.
The main objective of this research is to understand the presentation of people who have had COVID-19 and have persisting symptoms. We also plan to create a research register of up to 500 patients to approach for future studies. This will be done by recruiting people who have had COVID-19 and been referred into a Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust clinic for a review with follow-up of records for up to 10 years post-clinic.Summary of results
Participants included 210 non-hospitalised adults referred to a post COVID-19 outpatient clinic who had at least one respiratory symptom recorded (another group on the registry were post hospital discharge attending the clinic). The aims of the study were to describe the symptoms that patients presented with, identify the demographic and pre-existing health related factors associated with long term adverse health effects of COVID-19, and to inform potential rehabilitation targets.
Shortness of breath was the most commonly reported respiratory symptom, followed by dry and productive cough. Other frequently mentioned symptoms included fatigue, low mood, muscle aches, anxiety, and malaise. A substantial proportion of individuals showed signs of breathing dysregulation, moderate-to-severe fatigue and poor sleep quality. Preliminary unadjusted analyses also indicated that, at the clinic visit, pre-existing anxiety/depression in particular may be associated with greater risk of breathlessness and dysregulated breathing, as well as poorer physical performance, self-perceived health status and sleep.
The study early on highlighted the need for interventions – which led to the REMEDY feasibility study. The registry element encompassed opportunity to invite people to take part in other studies and a blood sample has been sent off to explore biomarkers and improve understanding of fatigue (no clear target identified as yet).
The manuscript is being written up but highlights the morbidity associated with persisting breathlessness after COVID-19.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/3732
Date of REC Opinion
28 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion