CompletedNot Applicable

Influence of Prior Infection With COVID-19 on Occurrence of Influenza-like Illness or Acute Respiratory Infection

Belgium1,000 participantsStarted 2020-09-24

Plain-language summary

Background: Each Belgian winter season is characterized by a wave of influenza like and respiratory symptoms. Especially, the elderly people are more vulnerable to be infected by influenza, but also RSV. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and eventually a next wave, will increase the prevalence of influenza like and respiratory symptoms. Method: A multicentre non-commercial cohort study will be conducted in nursing home staff and residents during the Winter season 2020-2021. Objectives: Primary objective is the difference in incidence of influenza like and respiratory symptoms between cases (cases have evidence of past infection with SARS-CoV-2, referred to as Covid +) and controls (controls have no evidence of previous infection and are referred to as Covid -). The primary outcome analysis as well as the secondary outcome analyses will use two strata: nursing home staff and nursing home residents. The secondary objectives are the difference in incidence of COVID-19, influenza, RSV infections confirmed by PCR between cases and controls, to define a correlate of protection in the covid + group against re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 based on the study of the pre-existing antibody profile (antigen specificity, antibody type and antibody level) at the time of re-exposure. A multiplex assay will be used to assess the antibody profile. Finally, to study the COVID-19 disease severity (7 point WHO ordinal scale, this includes a.o. hospitalisation, mechanical ventilation need and ICU admission, mortality) based on the presence/absence of pre-existing antibodies and the pre-existing antibody profile. For other respiratory infections we will study the need for hospitalization and mortality.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Being a staff member or resident from te participating nursing homes * The subject should be aged 18 years or older, have a Belgian National Number and be insured by a Belgian sickness fund. * All subjects that are cognitively capable to give consent themselves to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Insufficient knowledge of the Dutch or French language. * Residents with a previous diagnosis of dementia having a mini-mental state examination (MMSE) below 18/30. * Participants which life-expectancy is less than the time of the study. * Staff members not expected to continue working at the nursing home during the winter season. * Participants for whom veins are not accessible for simple periphery blood puncture.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Time to occurrence of ILI and ARI both in participants previously exposed to SARS-COV-2 and controls

Timeframe: up to 8 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04527614

SponsorSciensano

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2022-11-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Influenza, Human trials