COVIDOM+: Millions in funding for molecular research into the long-term consequences of COVID-19 disease

Led by researchers from the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) and the Faculty of Medicine at Kiel University (CAU), the nationwide COVIDOM+ study is investigating the long-term health consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This new research phase builds on the COVIDOM study, which has been running since 2020 and comprises a population-based cohort of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 and was conducted within the National Pandemic Cohort Network (NAPKON). In collaboration with the University Hospital of Würzburg and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, participants from various regions of Germany - including Schleswig-Holstein, Bavaria and Berlin - are being followed over several years to analyze the long-term effects of COVID-19, in particular post-COVID syndrome (PCS).

Understanding post-COVID: Objectives of the COVIDOM+ study

The COVIDOM study has shown that the inflammatory storm of acute COVID-19 diseases is often followed by post-COVID syndrome (PCS), which includes a variety of symptoms that sometimes severely restrict those affected in their everyday lives. Typical symptoms include chronic fatigue and even myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) as well as concentration disorders (“brain fog”), breathing difficulties and reduced performance, even after a mild course. These symptoms can persist for weeks to months and significantly impair quality of life. Other common symptoms such as muscle pain and sleep disorders often lead to severe psychological stress. The multitude and overlapping of symptoms make it difficult to diagnose and differentiate from other syndromes such as ME/CFS, which can also occur post-infectiously, but also in connection with other triggers.

“The follow-up study COVIDOM+ should help us to better understand the frequency, severity and long-term consequences of post-COVID syndrome. We want to find out how the time of infection, vaccination status and course of the disease, as well as existing pre-existing conditions, influence the development of PCS and recognize different manifestations, so-called phenotypes, and distinguish them from other post-infectious diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome,” explains Prof. Dr. Jan Heyckendorf, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine I at the UKSH, Kiel Campus, and project leader of COVIDOM+. “The knowledge gained should contribute to the development of clinical guidelines and improve the care of those affected through more precise diagnosis and treatment concepts,” adds PD Dr. Thomas Bahmer, co-study leader of COVIDOM+.

In addition to the health consequences of PCS, the study also examines the psychological consequences of COVID-19 in order to differentiate these from other physical and psychosomatic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is also analyzing whether post-COVID syndrome increases the risk of age-related diseases such as dementia and cardiovascular diseases and whether repeated viral infections trigger accelerated ageing processes. These findings could serve as the basis for new therapeutic approaches.

The COVIDOM+ methodology: how research is conducted

The COVIDOM+ study builds on the already established, population-based COVIDOM cohort with 3,634 participants, which has been recruited since 2020 in the regions of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Franconia and Berlin-Neukölln with the help of local health authorities. For precise long-term monitoring, the study includes several follow-up examinations, which take place at annual intervals after the first examination date. This allows changes in the course of post-COVID syndrome (PCS) to be systematically documented. Comprehensive health data and biological samples such as blood, saliva and stool are archived for this purpose, enabling a detailed molecular and clinical analysis of the effects of PCS.

Another key aspect of the study is the comparison of COVID-19 long-term effects with those of other respiratory diseases, in particular influenza. In addition to the FRISH study (Follow-Up of Respiratory Infections in Schleswig-Holstein), which deals with the long-term consequences of influenza, the STAAB study from Würzburg - a population-based study on the early stages of heart failure - provides valuable comparative data. In addition, the NAKO Health Study is another important comparative cohort that collected important health data from the general population over several years before the outbreak of the pandemic. These groups help to precisely analyze specific long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2.

In addition, COVIDOM+ is closely linked to the Cluster of Excellence Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation (PMI). Prof. Dr. Stefan Schreiber, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine I and spokesperson for PMI, explains: “This will enable us to understand how different disease progressions occur and develop targeted therapeutic approaches for restoring full health in post-COVID diseases. Our aim is to create the basis for personalized precision medicine that meets the individual needs of patients.”

Funding and duration
The COVIDOM+ study is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) with a total of 4.9 million euros for the project years 2025 and 2026. The funding ensures the continuation of the research work, which from January 1, 2025 will seamlessly follow on from the COVIDOM study (NAPKON-POP), which ran until December 31, 2024 and was funded via the Network of University Medicine (NUM).

For further questions from journalists, please contact:
University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel
Department of Internal Medicine I, Prof. Dr. Jan Heyckendorf & PD Dr. Thomas Bahmer
Tel.:0431 500-62629, thomas.bahmer@uksh.de

Responsible for this press release:
University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Integrated Communications Office, e-mail: presse@uksh.de 
Kiel Campus: Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, 24105 Kiel, Tel.: 0431 500-10 700
Campus Lübeck: Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Tel.: 0451 500-10 700