Long COVID study at University Hospitals
COVID still a fact of life, especially for those suffering from long-term effects
With about 9,000 new cases of COVID-19 a week currently in Ohio, the contagious virus is still a reality, although easy to forget as many daily activities have returned to normal.
As time has gone on, we have also learned the reality of long COVID, which can affect individuals for months or longer with debilitating effects, such as fatigue, brain fog, breathing problems and other issues.
The Clinical Research Center at University Hospitals continues to study the effects of long COVID and is currently enrolling adults 18 years and older who meet one of the following criteria:
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 28 days.
- Individuals who believe they were infected with COVID-19 in the past 28 days.
- Individuals who have never been infected with or tested positive for COVID-19.
“COVID-19 has disproportionally affected racial and ethnic minority populations, including African American, Hispanic, Latino, Spanish, American Indian, and Alaskan-Native individuals, who are three times more likely to be hospitalized than White individuals,” said Grace McComsey, MD, Vice President of Research and Associate Chief Scientific Officer at University Hospitals.
Dr. McComsey stresses that research studies greatly need diverse participants of all races and ethnicities, because ensuring diversity in clinical trials is key to ensuring health equity and advancing medicine.
“People may experience the same disease differently. It’s essential that clinical trials include people with a variety of lived experiences and living conditions, as well as characteristics including race and ethnicity, age, sex, and sexual orientation, so that all communities benefit from scientific advances,” said Dr. McComsey. (Also see: The Importance of Diversity & Inclusion in Clinical Trials).
The long COVID study is to help learn more about long-term effects of the virus and to understand who is at greatest risk of having long-term effects. Participants will be followed for up to four years, and the study involves collection of blood and other specimens and completion of study questionnaires every three months. Depending on symptoms and other health factors, participants may be asked to complete other procedures or tests to learn more about symptoms.
“UH was first in the nation to enroll in the long COVID study, or what’s called the ‘post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) Longhauler Study. Moreover, Northeast Ohio should be proud that UH is continuing to lead enrollment numbers throughout the nation,” said Dr. McComsey.
The study currently has 930 participants and hopes to enroll 1000. Compensation and a meal voucher are provided for each completed visit. Coverage for travel expenses including parking, rideshares, and mileage reimbursements are also provided for eligible participants.
The study will follow participants for up to four years. The study involves collection of blood and other specimens and completing study questionnaires every three months. Depending on symptoms and other health factors, participants may be asked to complete other procedures or tests to learn more about symptoms.
For more information:
Ø Text “STUDY” to 440-762-6843
Ø Call: 440-76-COVID (440-762-6843)
Ø Email: COVIDResearch@UHhospitals.org
Ø Visit: UHhospitals.org/CovidStudy
About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio
Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 21 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital, Ohio’s only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including “America’s Best Hospitals” from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit us at www.UHhospitals.org.
