COVIDOM+: €4.9 Million Funding for the Research of Post-COVID Syndrome

A nationwide research consortium led by the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) and the Medical Faculty of the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel (CAU) has received €4.9 million in funding for the COVIDOM+ study. The aim is to investigate the long-term effects of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS), in comparison to other respiratory diseases.

The involved institutions are part of the Airway Research Center North (ARCN) of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL). In collaboration with the University Hospital Würzburg and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, participants from various regions of Germany – including Schleswig-Holstein, Bavaria, and Berlin – will be followed over several years to analyze the long-term effects of COVID-19, especially PCS.

Focus on Long-Term Effects of COVID-19

The COVIDOM+ study builds on the ongoing COVIDOM cohort since 2020 and investigates how frequently and severely PCS occurs and how it differs from other post-infectious diseases such as ME/CFS. Typical symptoms like chronic fatigue, concentration difficulties ("brain fog"), or breathing problems will be analyzed. The psychological and potentially age-related effects of COVID-19 are also in focus.

“The follow-up study COVIDOM+ will help us better understand the frequency, severity, and long-term effects of Post-COVID Syndrome. We aim to determine how factors such as the timing of infection, vaccination status, disease course, and pre-existing conditions influence the development of PCS and identify different manifestations, known as phenotypes, while distinguishing them from other post-infectious diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome,” explains Prof. Dr. Jan Heyckendorf, DZL scientist, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine I at UKSH, Campus Kiel, and project leader of COVIDOM+. “The insights gained will contribute to the development of clinical guidelines and improve the care of affected individuals through more precise diagnostic and treatment approaches,” adds PD Dr. Thomas Bahmer, also a DZL scientist and co-study leader of COVIDOM+.

Funding and Outlook

COVIDOM+ is funded by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) with €4.9 million for the years 2025 and 2026. The results aim to improve the care of patients with Post-COVID Syndrome and other long-term effects.

Further Information:

Press release from University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein