Identifying patients with Long COVID
Problem
Approximately 1 in 10 people with COVID-19 continue to experience symptoms and impaired quality of life beyond 12 weeks, which is known as Long COVID. Currently no existing evidence exists as to how best support these patients. Our team were awarded £2.2 million to, at pace, improve the international understanding of this new condition and identify patients suitable to trial a novel intervention.
Problem
Powered by Dexter, the team were able to become the first researchers globally to identify the full breadth of the symptom burden associated with Long COVID, assisting in defining its phenotype. This included identifying less well-known side effects such as amnesia, as well as spot inequalities in the groups who presented with Long COVID. We noticed those from lower income backgrounds, smokers and those overweight experienced a higher disease burden. Identification of the symptom burden is now allowing clinicians and clinical guide developers to improve their assessment of patients experiencing the long term effects from COVID-19. The paper was published in the high impact factor journal Nature Medicine.
Using patients identified by Dexter in partnership with CPRD and our digital partner Aparito Limited, we have been able to successfully recruit patients with Long COVID to be randomised into a clinical trial to identify optimal therapies for Long COVID.
