The IDIAPJGol has three ongoing research projects on persistent Covid
Different teams from the Jordi Gol y Gurina University Institute for Primary Care Research (IDIAPJGol) are carrying out research projects related to persistent Covid-19. This nomenclature has been used to name the cases of patients with symptoms lasting more than 4 weeks from the onset of the disease.
The probability of developing persistent Covid-19 is not related to the severity of the disease, but is estimated to up to 10% of patients. Current data suggest that patients with this condition are mainly women (78.9%), between 30 and 59 years old (86.9%) and of whom only 8.4% had previously been admitted to Hospital . It is estimated, on the other hand, that the symptoms may be present for at least six months.
Check the effectiveness of drugs on the market
The sensation of shortness of breath is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of persistent Covid-19, followed by persistent lack of smell and taste, and fatigue. Increased dependence on activities of daily living is also common. Considering the high population volume that could be affected by persistent Covid-19, effective therapies are necessary to reduce its complications.
The E-Speranza Covid clinical trial is based on the plausibility of the benefit of montelukast, an affordable drug already marketed for asthma, in reducing the inflammatory process that occurs in SARS-CoV-2 infection. The objective is to demonstrate the efficacy of this drug in improving the quality of life associated with respiratory symptoms in patients with persistent Covid-19.
It is also intended to learn more about the clinical and biological characteristics of people with persistent Covid-19. For this reason, a subgroup of people will also undergo respiratory function tests and blood and stool samples will be analyzed to determine the effect of the disease on the immune system, intestinal flora and how it is related to the severity of the disease. Persistent Covid-19.
Deeper understanding of the respiratory, immunological, and microbiological mechanisms underlying persistent Covid-19 will help to understand the potential effect of montelukast, identify better responders, and contribute to the identification of new therapeutic targets and new treatments for prevent or reduce the effects of persistent or recovery symptoms.
Although much is unknown about the pathophysiology of persistent Covid-19 in which one or more interrelated mechanisms could be present. The ability to correlate different biomarkers with clinical symptoms will help to understand the various presentations of the disease.
This project, generated from the experience of a family doctor, Francisco Mera Cordero, is being developed by the USR Costa de Ponent and the Drug Studies Unit of IDIAPJGol, in collaboration with the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Hospital de Viladecans. This study has been submitted to the Carlos III Health Institute's Independent Clinical Research call, pending final resolution.
Effect of vaccination on persistent Covid-19 patients
It appears that Covid-19 vaccines could help some people with persistent Covid-19, decreasing the intensity of symptoms. It is not known whether all current vaccines would have a potential beneficial effect, how long an effect would last, and what the mechanisms would be. These may be related to the elimination of persistent viral viruses, viral antigens, or by non-specific immunomodulation against the virus.
The objective of this other study, for which more than 2,000 people have already been recruited and which is funded by the Department of Health, & amp; nbsp; It is to define well the different clinical profiles of persistent Covid-19 and its relationship with quality of life; understand the immunopathogenic mechanisms for each clinical profile by analyzing the profile of antibodies against the virus, autoimmune antibodies and immunological activation and inflammation, as well as analyzing the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in blood and feces; Finally, evaluate the effect (and duration) of Covid-19 vaccines on symptoms and groups of post-Covid-19 clinical phenotypes and identify the mechanisms (the study of the vaccines is done in collaboration with ISGlobal and VHIR and is funded by the Daniel Bravo Foundation).
This research is being carried out in collaboration with the group of people affected by the persistent Covid-19 in Catalonia.
New technologies to offer personalized support
Digital technology could help primary care professionals track the progress of people affected by persistent Covid-19. Among these digital tools, there are three in particular that could help them better understand the needs of patients and offer them more personalized care: artificial intelligence and the use of advanced psychometrics and technological devices (wearables).
This project, promoted by the American company adhered Health with the collaboration of the ICS Catalunya Central, the Virgen de Macarena University Hospital in Seville and the University of Seville, among others, allows monitoring patients with persistent Covid-19 through the information provided by smart bracelets (wearables) and questionnaires that patients provide online about their health status. The widget also provides emotional and behavioral support to patients, so they can learn practices that lead to a healthier lifestyle.
In this way , technological tools will allow healthcare professionals to fully follow up patients and obtain alerts if the situation of these patients with persistent Covid-19 worsens.
