RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Capturing MultiORgan Effects of COVID-19

The C-MORE study is looking into the long-term health effects of COVID-19 on people who've been seriously ill with the virus. We know COVID-19 mainly affects breathing, but it can also impact other organs. This study uses special scans, called MRI, to check organs like the lungs, heart, brain, liver, and kidneys over time. Researchers want to see if there's any lasting damage and how this affects daily life, physical fitness, and mental well-being in UK patients. The aim is to understand how common these issues are and what factors might play a role.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

750

Start

13 May 2020

Estimated completion

01 May 2026

Coronavirus Infection Multi-Organ Disorder

What is this study about?

When people get very sick with COVID-19, it's not just the lungs that can be affected. Doctors have seen that the virus might also impact other important parts of the body, like the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys. We don't yet fully understand if this damage lasts for a long time in people who have recovered from COVID-19.

The C-MORE study aims to get a clearer picture of these long-term effects. It's an 'observational study,' which means researchers will watch and learn from a group of people rather than giving them any new treatments. They will use a special type of scan called an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), which takes detailed pictures inside the body. This helps them see if there are any changes in the organs we mentioned.

The study will follow over 600 people across the UK who had COVID-19 that was serious enough for them to need hospital care. The researchers will check their organs at different times – 3, 6, and 12 months after their COVID-19 symptoms first started. They will also look at how people's breathing, ability to exercise, thinking skills, and mental health are doing. By doing this, the C-MORE study hopes to learn more about how COVID-19 affects the whole body and people's lives.

Key takeaways

The C-MORE study looks at COVID-19's lasting effects on different body organs.
It uses special MRI scans of the heart, lungs, brain, liver, and kidneys.
The study also checks your breathing, fitness, thinking, and mental health.
It aims to understand how common long-term organ damage is after COVID-19.
Participation involves about one year of follow-up visits and assessments.
This research helps improve care for people recovering from serious COVID-19.

Who may be eligible?

For you to be considered for this study, you must be an adult aged 18 or over and be able to understand and agree to take part. You must have had a confirmed COVID-19 infection, meaning a test showed you had the virus. Your COVID-19 illness needed to be moderate to severe, which usually means symptoms like very fast breathing, severe breathlessness, low oxygen levels, or requiring more than 48 hours in hospital.

There are also some things that would mean you couldn't join. For example, if you have something in your body that makes an MRI scan unsafe, like a pacemaker or certain metal implants. If you are pregnant or have severe claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or can't lie flat for the scan, you wouldn't be able to participate. Also, if you have very poor kidney function or currently have active COVID-19 symptoms, you wouldn't be suitable.

They are also looking for some control participants. These are people who have not had COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test, but who might have other health conditions.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Did you have a confirmed positive COVID-19 test?
Was your COVID-19 illness moderate to severe (e.g., needed hospitalisation or caused serious breathing issues)?
Do you have any metal implants or other conditions that would make an MRI scan unsafe, such as a pacemaker?
Can you lie still for an MRI scan and are not severely claustrophobic?
Do you currently have symptoms of active COVID-19?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you join the C-MORE study, you would be asked to attend follow-up visits after your COVID-19 symptoms started. These visits would be at the 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month marks. At each visit, you would have MRI scans of your chest, heart, brain, liver, and kidneys. You would also have tests to check your breathing, how well you can exercise, your memory and thinking skills, and your mental well-being. There are no new medications given as part of this study, as it's observational – meaning researchers are just observing and collecting data. The total duration of your participation would be about one year.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of taking part is that you would receive detailed MRI scans of several organs, which could provide you and your doctors with valuable information about your health after COVID-19. You would also be contributing to important research that will help us understand and care for future patients. However, there are some risks associated with MRI scans, such as feeling claustrophobic, and lying still for the scans can be uncomfortable. There's also the time commitment for the visits. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a special scanning technique that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body without using X-rays.

Will I get any medicine or new treatment in this study?

No, this is an 'observational' study. This means researchers are just watching and collecting information about your health after COVID-19, so you won't be given any new medicines or treatments as part of this study.

How long will I need to be involved in the study?

If you join, you would be part of the study for about one year, with follow-up checks at 3, 6, and 12 months after your COVID-19 symptoms began.

What kind of COVID-19 did I need to have to join?

You needed to have had a confirmed COVID-19 infection that was considered moderate to severe, often requiring hospital admission or causing significant breathing problems.

What happens if I change my mind after joining?

You are free to leave the study at any point, and your decision won't affect the medical care you receive for any health issue.

How to find out more

Betty Raman, MBBS, DPhil, FRACP

betty.raman@cardiov.ox.ac.uk 01865234580 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.