Major study opens into long-term health impact of Covid-19

A MAJOR study into at the long-term health impact of coronavirus will be led by a team from Leicester.

Patients on the UK-wide study will be assessed using techniques such as advanced imaging, data collection and analysis of blood and lung samples.

Just launched, the PHOSP-COVID Study will be led by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, a partnership between the University of the Leicester and the city’s NHS Trust.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock, said: “As we continue our fight against this global pandemic, we are learning more and more about the impact the disease can have not only on immediate health, but longer-term physical and mental health too.

“This world-leading study is another fantastic contribution from the UK’s world-leading life sciences and research sector. It will also help to ensure future treatment can be tailored as much as possible to the person.”

The study, awarded an £8.4 million grant from NIHR and UK Research and Innovation, will draw on expertise from leading researchers and doctors from across the UK.

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said: “As well as the immediate health impacts of the virus, it is also important to look at the longer-term impacts on health, which may be significant.

“We have rightly focused on mortality, and what the UK can do straight away to protect lives, but we should also look at how Covid-19 impacts on the health of people after they have recovered from the immediate disease.

“This study is one of the first steps in doing this.”

About 10,000 patients are expected to take part, which will make it the biggest study of its kind in the world. Chief investigator for the study is Chris Brightling, professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Leicester, consultant respiratory physician at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

Prof Brightling said: “As we emerge from the first wave of the pandemic, we have new insights into the acute phase of this disease but very little information about patients’ long-term needs.

“It is vitally important that we rapidly gather evidence on the longer term consequences of contracting severe Covid-19 so we can develop and test new treatment strategies for them and other people affected by future waves of the disease.”

It is just one of a number of a Covid19 studies given urgent public health research status by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Rebecca Brown, acting chief executive of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “The trust has demonstrated its culture of research and innovation during the pandemic.

“We introduced the Spaces model for ward layout to protect staff, were the highest recruiting site to key drug trials such as Recovery and have worked with our academic partners to understand and protect our diverse ethnic minority population.

“I am proud we are the lead NHS trust to investigate the long-term effects of Covid-19 as presented in our clinics - it is the next step in our journey to tackle this disease.”

Professor Melanie Davies, director of the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, said: “The purpose of a biomedical research centre is to translate scientific breakthroughs into benefits for patients at pace.

“The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the value of centres like ours in Leicester where we are leading research embedded into clinical care settings, which will have a direct impact on patient care. We are delighted to be awarded this prestigious funding to continue our exemplary record in the fight against coronavirus.”