Long-term immune and health effects of COVID-19 in people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases
Immunologic and Clinical Sequelae after COVID-19 in Patients with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
This project looks at how COVID-19 changes immune responses and causes lingering symptoms in people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289321 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will follow people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases who had COVID-19 and track their symptoms over months to see who develops prolonged COVID (PASC). You would give blood samples at several visits so scientists can measure antibodies, B cell changes, autoantibodies, and other immune markers. The team will compare people on different immunomodulatory medications and examine vaccine responses and how long the virus is cleared. Their goal is to link specific immune patterns with recovery, prolonged symptoms, and risk of organ-related complications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (for example, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus) who have had confirmed COVID-19 or breakthrough infections and are willing to attend clinic visits and provide blood samples.
Not a fit: People without autoimmune rheumatic diseases or those who have never had COVID-19 would not be the focus and are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help doctors predict who is at higher risk for long COVID and guide vaccine and treatment choices for people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that immunosuppressed people often make weaker antibody responses to COVID-19 and that long COVID can occur, but linking specific immune changes to prolonged symptoms in autoimmune rheumatic diseases remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sparks, Jeffrey Andrew — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sparks, Jeffrey Andrew
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.