Long COVID (persistent COVID) represents a major global health challenge due to its highprevalence (approximately 7%), significant impact on quality of life, and socioeconomicburden. Despite extensive research, diagnostic tools to objectively identify or predictlong COVID evolution are still lacking.The BioICOPER Follow-up Study aims to analyze the influence of biomarker evolution onclinical symptomatology (particularly chronic fatigue) and vascular health after fouryears of follow-up among 400 participants previously included in the original BioICOPERcohort.Advanced proteomic analysis, vascular function assessment, and machine-learning-basedpredictive modeling will be used to identify biomarkers associated with diseaseprogression, stratified by sex. This project will contribute to personalized clinicalmanagement of long COVID and improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in primarycare.
The study includes a citizen participation component through the IBSAL Citizen Committee
for review and dissemination of results. A prospective observational cohort study
following 400 adults with a confirmed diagnosis of long COVID, previously enrolled in the
BioICOPER baseline study.
Participants will undergo reevaluation four years after their initial inclusion,
assessing:
- Clinical symptoms (fatigue, dyspnea, sleep, cognition, nutrition, frailty).
- Lifestyle factors (physical activity, diet, alcohol and tobacco use).
- Vascular structure and function using carotid ultrasound, pulse wave velocity
(SphygmoCor®, Vasera®), and retinal imaging.
- Proteomic profiling and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 N and S proteins using ELISA
and mass spectrometry.
- Predictive modeling using artificial intelligence (AI) and bioinformatics methods
(ESALAB group).
The study will identify biological, vascular, and behavioral determinants of long COVID
progression, aiming to build predictive models to support personalized medicine.
Other: BioICOPER Long COVID Cohort
This observational cohort includes 400 adult participants previously enrolled in the
baseline BioICOPER study (2021-2023), who had a confirmed diagnosis of long COVID
(persistent COVID-19) according to WHO criteria.
Participants will undergo a comprehensive four-year follow-up assessment to evaluate
clinical evolution, vascular function, and biological markers of disease persistence and
recovery.
There is no intervention assigned by the investigators - participants will continue their
usual medical care.
The study will observe natural disease progression and its association with biomarkers,
vascular measurements, and lifestyle factors.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults ≥18 years old.
- Confirmed previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Diagnosis of long COVID according to WHO criteria.
- Participation in the baseline BioICOPER study.
- Signed informed consent for re-evaluation.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Acute illness preventing participation.
- Cognitive or physical impairment limiting data collection.
- Withdrawal of informed consent.
- Age < 18 years old
Av. de Portugal 83. Planta 2
Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
Investigator: Manuel Angel Gómez Marcos, Md, PhD
Contact: +346751143551
magomez@usal.es
Manuel Angel Gómez Marcos, MD, PhD
+346751143551
magomez@usal.es
Manuel Angel Gomez Marcos, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator
Centro Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca (CAUSA)