Long-COVID patients are being actively recruited by Endeavor Health, a hospital system, for three ongoing studies aimed at understanding and treating the complex condition. Researchers estimate that 8% of those infected with COVID-19, or approximately 20 million people in the US, may experience long-term symptoms.
According to Dr. Nirav Shah, associate chief medical informatics officer of AI and innovation at Endeavor Health, long-COVID encompasses a wide range of symptoms, including brain fog, cardiopulmonary issues, and new-onset diabetes. The exact causes of long COVID are still being researched, but possible theories include an autoimmune component, viral persistence, and damage caused by the virus.
Endeavor Health has been part of several long-COVID studies conducted through Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER), a nationwide research program established by the National Institutes of Health. Three ongoing trials are currently seeking patients: RECOVER-ENERGIZE for exercise intolerance, RECOVER-SLEEP for sleep disturbances, and RECOVER-AUTONOMIC for autonomic dysfunction symptoms.
Participants in these studies may receive potential treatments, such as Paxlovid, an antiviral drug that has shown promise in alleviating long-COVID symptoms. Dr. Shah emphasizes the importance of these studies, stating that “most people get better,” but some cases can be severe and debilitating.
Long-hauler Diane Patterson, who participated in a clinical trial through Endeavor Health, shared her experiences with daily life, including debilitating fatigue and short-term memory issues. Despite constant efforts to recover, she notes that progress is not always linear, and she is grateful for any steps forward. Patterson’s story highlights the importance of support systems and the need for more research into long COVID.
By participating in these studies, patients may be able to contribute to a better understanding of long COVID and potentially receive life-changing treatments. As Dr. Shah notes, “the sooner we have answers,” the sooner those affected by long-COVID can move forward with their lives.
Source: https://www.dailyherald.com/20250517/news/im-still-battling-this-endeavor-health-recruiting-patients-for-long-covid-studies