Understanding recovery experiences after COVID-19

Natural History of Post-Coronavirus Disease 19 Convalescence at the National Institutes of Health

This study is trying to understand how people recover from COVID-19 by talking to those who had the virus and looking at their health experiences before, during, and after their illness.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 1590 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 100 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) (NIH)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
• Trial ID: NCT04573062 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore the diverse recovery experiences of individuals who have contracted COVID-19. Researchers will conduct telephone interviews and online surveys to gather data on participants' health before, during, and after their COVID-19 infection. The study will focus on individuals who are within five years of their recovery and will analyze the range of symptoms and medical syndromes associated with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). The findings will help inform future research on long-term recovery from COVID-19.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals aged 18 and older who have documentation of a positive COVID-19 test and are within five years of their recovery.

Not a fit: Patients who have not contracted COVID-19 or those who are not able to provide informed consent may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into the recovery process from COVID-19, potentially leading to improved care and management strategies for patients experiencing long-term symptoms.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have begun to explore the long-term effects of COVID-19, indicating that this area of research is gaining traction, though the specific methodologies of this study may be novel.

Eligibility criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

For Phase A Surveying:

1590 persons who are recovering or have recovered from an acute SARS/CoV2 infection will participate.

Inclusion criteria for Phase A:

Post-COVID-19 Convalescence (n=890)

1. Participants 18 and older
2. Ability to provide informed consent
3. Stated willingness to complete telephone interviews

4 Reports having begun recovery from an acute SARS/CoV2 infection in the past 5 years

a.For participants who don t have a known recovery date, a date of 6 weeks from infection will be imposed

5 Provides documentation of a positive COVID-19 Test. Approved test can include the following:

1. PCR, NAA, or other EUA Approved test to confirm active COVID infection.
2. A positive home Antigen test is acceptable when documentation of a photograph of the test with a phone-based date and time stamp is provided.
3. A positive anti-Spike antibody test is accepted in unvaccinated individuals or those who had antibody testing prior to vaccination.
4. A positive anti-nucleocapsid antibody test

   OR

   Test-Negative COVID-19 with Persistent Symptoms (n=50)
   1. Participants 18 and older
   2. Ability to provide informed consent
   3. Stated willingness to complete telephone interviews
   4. Reports having developed persistent symptoms as a consequence of an acute SARS/CoV2 infection
   5. Provides documentation of a clinical diagnosis of an acute SARS/CoV2 infection from a medical practitioner OR meets the Clinical Criteria of the 2020 CDC Interim Case Definition for Probable SARS/CoV2 infection.
   6. Has either negative or absent COVID-19 PCR, NAA, or other EUA Approved testing for the documented SARS/COV2 infection.
   7. Provides documentation of a negative COVID-19 antibody test prior to vaccination.

   OR

   COVID-19 vaccine related medical conditions (n=50)
   1. Participants 18 and older
   2. Ability to provide informed consent
   3. Stated willingness to complete telephone interviews
   4. Reports having developed persistent symptoms as a consequence of a COVID 19 vaccination
   5. Provides documentation of COVID-19 vaccination
   6. Provides documentation of a COVID-19 vaccine related medical condition from a medical practitioner

   OR

   Participants with a history of multiple SARS-CoV-2 infections (N=600)
   1. Participants 18 and older
   2. Ability to provide informed consent
   3. Stated willingness to complete telephone interviews
   4. Reports having more than one SARS-CoV-2 infection
   5. Provides documentation of at least one positive COVID-19 Test. Approved test can include the following:
5. PCR, NAA, or other EUA Approved test to confirm active COVID infection.
6. A positive home Antigen test is acceptable when documentation of a photograph of the test with a phone-based date and time stamp is provided.
7. A positive anti-Spike antibody test is accepted in unvaccinated individuals or those who had antibody testing prior to vaccination.
8. A positive anti-nucleocapsid antibody test

   The elements of the 2020 CDC Interim Case Definition for Probable COVID-19 used for this protocol will be the Clinical Criteria:

   Clinical Criteria:

   At least two of the following symptoms: fever (measured or subjective), chills, rigors, myalgia, headache, sore throat, new olfactory and taste disorder(s)

   OR

   At least one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing

   OR

   Severe respiratory illness with at least one of the following:
   * Clinical or radiographic evidence of pneumonia, OR
   * Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

   AND

   No alternative more likely diagnosis

   For Phase B Evaluation:

   240 persons who are recovering or have recovered from COVID-19 within the last five years will participate. The accrual ceiling is 120 PASC and 120 healthy volunteers, with a goal to identify 80 PASC participants and 80 post-COVID fully recovered healthy volunteers who may be eligible for Phase C. Time since infection (i.e. within first six months, six months to one year, one year to two years, and two years to five years) will also be considered, with a goal of recruiting at least 20 PASC participants and 20 post- COVID fully recovered participants within each of these four time frames.

   Inclusion Criteria for all Phase B participants:
   1. Adult participants aged 18 years and older
   2. Self-reported completion of at least the 7th grade of school.
   3. Fluency in English.
   4. Willing and able to complete all study procedures
   5. Participant has a primary care provider at the time of enrollment.
   6. Able to provide informed consent
   7. Participants must be at least six weeks out since the onset of COVID-19 symptoms with no fever for at least one week.
   8. Participants must be within five years since starting to recover from acute COVID- 19 symptoms. The date of the start of recovery can be determined by:

      * The date that fever broke for the first time
      * The date the participant recalls starting to improve
      * If a participant is unable to report a reliable date, a date of six weeks from the onset of COVID-19 symptoms may be imputed.
   9. Does not have an active SARS-CoV-2 infection. The protocol will conform with NIH CC standards for documenting a participant does not have active SARS-CoV- 2 infection. This may include screening interviews and/or testing.

   Additional Inclusion Criteria for Mild to Moderate Illness COVID-19 with severe PASC symptoms:
   1. Licensed Independent Practitioner documentation of a stable state of general well- health and physical function prior to contracting SARS-CoV-2. This may include medical records, correspondence letters, or information gathered from telephone calls with study personnel.
   2. A self-reported illness narrative of the development of persistent PASC symptoms after recovering from a SARS-CoV-2 infection. These include symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties, orthostatic intolerance, unrefreshing sleep, neuropathic pain, mood change, and post-exertional malaise.
   3. Laboratory documentation of a positive COVID-19 PCR, NAA, or other EUA Approved test to confirm active COVID infection at the time of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants with positive home tests during Phase A will be required to have a positive anti-SARS nucleocapsid antibody test.
   4. Meets WHO Clinical Progression Scale of 2 - 6:

      * 2: Ambulatory; symptomatic, independent
      * 3: Ambulatory; symptomatic, assistance needed
      * 4: Hospitalized; no oxygen therapy
      * 5: Hospitalized; oxygen by mask or nasal prongs
      * 6: Hospitalized; oxygen by non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen
   5. Functional Criteria: Substantial symptom severity as determined using SF-36v2: score of \<=70 physical function subscale, or \<=50 on role physical subscale, or \<=75 on social function subscale.

   OR

   Additional Inclusion Criteria for Mild or Moderate Illness COVID-19 without PASC symptoms:
   1. Licensed Independent Practitioner documentation of a stable state of general well- health and physical function prior to contracting SARS-CoV-2. This may include medical records, correspondence letters, or information gathered from telephone calls with study personnel.
   2. A self-reported illness narrative of recovery to prior health after a SARS/CoV2 infection.
   3. Laboratory documentation of a positive COVID-19 PCR, NAA, or other EUA Approved test to confirm active COVID infection at the time of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants with positive home tests during Phase A will be required to have a positive anti-SARS nucleocapsid antibody test.
   4. Meets WHO Clinical Progression Scale of 2 - 6:

      * 2: Ambulatory; symptomatic, independent
      * 3: Ambulatory; symptomatic, assistance needed
      * 4: Hospitalized; no oxygen therapy
      * 5: Hospitalized; oxygen by mask or nasal prongs
      * 6: Hospitalized; oxygen by non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen

   Functional Criteria: No substantial symptom severity as determined using SF-36v2: score of \>=85 physical function subscale, and \>= 85 on role physical subscale, and \>= 85 on social function subscale.

   OR

   Additional Inclusion Criteria for Mild or Moderate Illness COVID-19 with mild to moderate PASC symptoms:
   1. Licensed Independent Practitioner documentation of a stable state of general well-health and physical function prior to contracting SARS-CoV-2. This may include medical records, correspondence letters, or information gathered from telephone calls with study personnel.
   2. Either a self-reported illness narrative of near recovery to prior health or a narrative of the development of persistent PASC symptoms after recovering from a SARS-CoV-2 infection. These include symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties, orthostatic intolerance, unrefreshing sleep, neuropathic pain, mood change, and post-exertional malaise.
   3. Laboratory documentation of a positive COVID-19 PCR, NAA, or other EUA Approved test to confirm active COVID infection at the time of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants with positive home tests during Phase A will be required to have a positive Anti-SARS nucleocapsid antibody test.
   4. Meets WHO Clinical Progression Scale of 2 - 6:

      * 2: Ambulatory; symptomatic, independent
      * 3: Ambulatory; symptomatic, assistance needed
      * 4: Hospitalized; no oxygen therapy
      * 5: Hospitalized; oxygen by mask or nasal prongs
      * 6: Hospitalized; oxygen by non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen
   5. Functional Criteria: Mild to moderate symptom severity as determined using SF-36v2: score of between 71 and 84 on the physical function subscale, or between 51 and 84 on role physical subscale, or between 76 and 84 on social function subscale.

   For Phase C Deep Phenotyping:

   Inclusion Criteria for Mild to Moderate Illness COVID-19 with PASC symptoms:
   1. Met inclusion and exclusion criteria for Mild to Moderate Illness COVID-19 with severe post-acute COVID-19 symptoms after completing Phase B.
   2. No alternative explanation for PASC symptoms identified by adjudication committee during Phase B.
   3. Fluency in English

   OR

   Inclusion Criteria for Mild or Moderate Illness COVID-19 without PASC symptoms:
   1. Met inclusion and exclusion criteria for Mild to Moderate Illness COVID-19 without post-acute COVID-19 symptoms after completing Phase B.
   2. Fluency in English

   EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

   Exclusion criteria for Phase A:
   1. Not willing to provide personal identifying information to investigative team
   2. Cognitive impairment that is severe enough to limit consent capacity

   Exclusion criteria for Phase B Evaluation:

   Information collected from Phase A interviews, review of medical records, and discussions with consented Phase A participants will be used to determine if a participant will be excluded from participation.
   1. Current or past psychotic disorder including depression with psychosis, bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia
   2. Major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder unless managed for more than six months with a stable treatment regimen
   3. Current or past substance use disorder within last five years. Marijuana use within the past five years will not be an exclusion.
   4. Positive urine toxicology screening for anything other than marijuana. Positive result for corresponding medication prescribed for short-term medical issue may be allowed after investigator review. Examples include use of a benzodiazepine prior to air travel to NIH or narcotic medication related to a recent medical procedure or injury.
   5. Current suicidal ideation
   6. History of head injury leading to moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Persons having a history of mild TBI (mTBI) will not be excluded.
   7. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are within one-year post-partum.
   8. Current or previous malignancy. A history of malignancy that has fully resolved with surgical resection only (e.g. no chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy) will be allowed.
   9. Current systemic immunologic disorders (e.g. Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis). Local immunological disorder (e.g. atopic dermatitis, stable autoimmune thyroid disease) and allergic disorders will be allowed.
   10. Current or previous long-term immune suppressive therapy. Recent or current steroid use for the treatment of COVID-19, PASC, recent allergic reactions, and topical steroid use is allowed.
   11. Any premorbid medical condition that would potentially cause fatigue and exercise intolerance that would exclude from participation in Phase C. This includes many chronic medical diseases, such

       as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe arthritis, uncontrolled asthma, renal failure, fibromyalgia, and ME/CFS.
   12. Active participation in a clinical protocol (e.g. anti-inflammatory drug intervention study) which includes an intervention that may affect the results of the current study.
   13. Not willing to allow for research data and samples to be shared broadly with other researchers.
   14. Employees at NIH that are under the direct supervision of the study investigators (family members of NIH employees are permitted to participate).
   15. Symptom severity that makes it impossible for the volunteer to travel to NIH.

   Exclusion criteria for Phase C Deep Phenotyping:

   Exclusion criteria for all Phase C participants:
   1. Current or past psychotic disorder including depression with psychosis, bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia
   2. Current DSM-5-defined major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder,...

Where this trial is running

Bethesda, Maryland

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Brian T Walitt, M.D. — National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Study coordinator: Angelique A Gavin

Conditions Post-Coronavirus Disease 19; Post-COVID-19; Convalescence; COVID-19; COVID; PASC; Natural History