LOCUS (LOng Covid-Understanding Symptoms, events and use of services in Portugal): A three-component study protocol

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 18; no. 4; p. e0285051
• Main Authors: Dinis Teixeira, J P, Santos, Mário J D S, Soares, Patrícia, Azevedo, Luísa de, Barbosa, Patrícia, Boas, Andreia Vilas, Cordeiro, João V, Dias, Sónia, Fonseca, Marta, Goes, Ana Rita, Lobão, Maria João, Moniz, Marta, Nóbrega, Sofia, Peralta-Santos, André, Ramos, Víctor, Rocha, João Victor, da Silva, António Carlos, Brazão, Maria da Luz, Leite, Andreia, Nunes, Carla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 26.04.2023; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Biology and Life Sciences; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Data collection; Design optimization; Electronic health records; Electronic medical records; Evaluation; Health care; Health services; Humans; Illnesses; Informed consent; Loci; Medical personnel; Medical tests; Medicine and Health Sciences; Mental disorders; Pandemics; Portugal - epidemiology; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Professionals; Qualitative research; Questionnaires; Research and Analysis Methods; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Study Protocol; Viral diseases; Portugal
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285051

Approximately 10% of patients experience symptoms of Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Akin acute COVID-19, PCC may impact a multitude of organs and systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems. The frequency and associated risk factors of PCC are still unclear among both community and hospital settings in individuals with a history of COVID-19. The LOCUS study was designed to clarify the PCC's burden and associated risk factors. LOCUS is a multi-component study that encompasses three complementary building blocks. The "Cardiovascular and respiratory events following COVID-19" component is set to estimate the incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory events after COVID-19 in eight Portuguese hospitals via electronic health records consultation. The "Physical and mental symptoms following COVID-19" component aims to address the community prevalence of self-reported PCC symptoms through a questionnaire-based approach. Finally, the "Treating and living with Post COVID-19 Condition" component will employ semi-structured interviews and focus groups to characterise reported experiences of using or working in healthcare and community services for the treatment of PCC symptoms. This multi-component study represents an innovative approach to exploring the health consequences of PCC. Its results are expected to provide a key contribution to the optimisation of healthcare services design.