Founded in 2001, the CAPNETZ research network is an associated partner of the DZL and has recorded clinical data from over 13,000 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) so far. Within one week, CAPNETZ created all conditions to also include COVID-19 patients with or without pneumonia in the study, thereby contributing to research into the disease.
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease causing severe clinical courses that may require intensive care. Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine. In addition to the important general measures that have most recently been introduced and implemented, research into the disease plays a key role. So far, too little is known about this entirely new form of pneumonia. What remains unknown are the factors predicting a severe course, the underlying diseases predisposing patients to a severe course, the complications that must be taken into account, the impact of pre-existing therapies, and the cause of mortality in individual cases. Does our knowledge of the previously known form of pneumonia and respiratory failure also apply to COVID-19? The CAPNETZ network aims to answer this and many other questions.
Since 2001, CAPNETZ (CAP = community-acquired pneumonia) has become the world’s largest research network for community-acquired pneumonia. In its observational study, CAPNETZ has recorded and documented clinical data on CAP from over 13,000 patients so far. These data are used for scientific analysis regarding underlying pathogens, therapy management, comorbidities, and the clinical course as well as mortality of CAP.
Based on this expertise, CAPNETZ was able to initiate the necessary research into coronavirus disease very quickly. Within one week, the network created all conditions to make patient data available to research in the near future. The clinical centers participating in the CAPNETZ study now also include COVID-19 patients with or without pneumonia in the study.
The CAPNETZ research network was brought into being in 2001 through long-term funding from the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). In 2007, the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG (foundation) was founded, which has been responsible for the study and research network ever since. CAPNETZ is an associated partner of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and is largely financed by DZL funds. Over 40 clinical centers are currently participating in CAPNETZ, and many more are interested in contributing to the inclusion of COVID-19 patients.
Grit Barten-Neiner
Geschäftsführerin CAPNETZ STIFTUNG
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1
30625 Hannover
Tel.: 0511-532-4434
