A pulmonologist at The Queen’s University Medical Group is conducting a groundbreaking study in Hawaii, investigating the factors that contribute to long COVID-19. Dr. Gehan P. Devendra, a specialist in pulmonary critical care medicine, aims to recruit around 200 participants over a three-year period. The study focuses on understanding the biology of long COVID and identifying targeted treatment options.
Currently, the causes of long COVID remain largely unknown. Dr. Devendra’s long COVID clinic has observed that most patients experience persistent symptoms such as shortness of breath and chronic cough. Post-COVID-19 conditions, or long COVID, is characterized by symptoms that last for more than 30 days after the initial infection and affects approximately 20% of patients.
Many of Dr. Devendra’s patients have been suffering from post-COVID-19 conditions for several months, leading primary care physicians to refer them for specialized care. In a recent CDC Pulse Survey, in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 28% of U.S. adults reported having experienced long COVID at some point, with 6% currently dealing with the condition.
The symptoms of long COVID are diverse, ranging from debilitating fatigue and shortness of breath to difficulty concentrating or thinking, often referred to as “brain fog.” Sleep issues, depression, and anxiety are also common. The CDC and its partners are actively researching who is more susceptible to long COVID and why, including the potential impact of social determinants of health disparities. Long COVID has been recognized as an official condition under the Americans with Disabilities Act since July 2021.
Dr. Devendra’s study will focus on the role of monocytes, a type of white blood cell, which are believed to be involved in the acute phases of long COVID. The study, conducted jointly by Queen’s University and the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, also aims to explore the influence of social determinants of health disparities within Hawaii’s diverse population on the development of long COVID. Factors such as stress, related to income, housing insecurity, and loneliness, may contribute to health outcomes through their impact on monocytes.
While the causes of long COVID are complex and multifaceted, Dr. Devendra believes that investigating monocyte activation is a promising starting point. The study welcomes participants who currently have long COVID, individuals who have recovered from the virus, and those who have never had it. Participation involves completing questionnaires, undergoing blood draws, and lung function tests over a three-year period. Compensation is available for registered participants.
If you are interested in taking part in the study, please contact the dedicated team at 808-978-0751 or email [email protected].
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