Impact of Aging on pulmonary long-term effects after COVID-19

Principal investigator:

PD Dr. Manuela Funke-Chambour, Department for Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Adult Pulmonary Research Group, Department for Biomedical Research, University of Bern. For more information, please visit the website.

COVID-19 is a new viral infection caused by SARS CoV-2, that targets initially the lung. More evidence is accumulating that the disease leads to long-term impairment in some individuals. We have initiated a Swiss national prospective observational study to evaluate pulmonary long-term effects of COVID-19. Clinical and lung functional parameters, as well as blood samples are collected. Within this study we will correlate age and markers of aging with the development of pulmonary sequels after COVID-19. Blood biomarkers of aging might predict subjects at risk and help to prevent disease in the most vulnerable individuals.