Recommendations for future clinical observational studies on post-COVID-19 syndrome
| 1. Reports should follow all/most STROBE recommendations for observational research, and attach their checklist [24] |
| 2. Minimal follow-up of 6 months |
| 3. Early, active identification of subjects at risk of severe sequelae |
| 4. Use reference groups (i.e.: hospital controls via electronic health records; or population-based controls; or else) |
| 5. Tests, questionnaires and tools to assess patient outcomes should be pre-specified as per a protocol |
| 6. A minimum dataset to merge variables/values/patients in a standard dictionary should be implemented |
| 7. Characterise risk factors known for persistence of symptoms: high blood pressure, overweight/obesity, smoking, mental health conditions, other comorbidities and their treatment, … |
| 8. Recording of real-time data with apps, remote sensors and e-health |
| 9. Assess mental status and post-traumatic stress disorder |
| 10. Assess quality-of-life of patients (and their carers) objectively |
| 11. Identify early potential pharmacological (e.g. steroids) and non-pharmacological (IMV and NIMV, …) adverse events |
| 12. Report at the least three sets of serial measurements over time, to fully assess recovery |
| 13. Use objective techniques, like cardiopulmonary exercise test, to assess the exercise impairment |
| 14. Assess effects of targeted rehabilitation |
| 15. Differentiate from systemic exertion intolerance disease, formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (SEID/CFS) |
| 16. Identify laboratory tests or biomarkers to characterise the post-COVID-19 syndrome |
| 17. Assess correlation between symptoms and abnormal peak oxygen consumption |