Study of Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19 Using Digital Wearables: Protocol for a Prospective Longitudinal Observational Study

Abstract

BackgroundPostacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) remain understudied in nonhospitalized patients. Digital wearables allow for a continuous collection of physiological parameters such as respiratory rate and oxygen saturation that have been predictive of disease trajectories in hospitalized patients. ObjectiveThis protocol outlines the design and procedures of a prospective, longitudinal, observational study of PASC that aims to identify wearables-collected physiological parameters that are associated with PASC in patients with a positive diagnosis. MethodsThis is a single-arm, prospective, observational study of a cohort of 550 patients, aged 18 to 65 years, male or female, who own a smartphone or a tablet that meets predetermined Bluetooth version and operating system requirements, speak English, and provide documentation of a positive COVID-19 test issued by a health care professional within 5 days before enrollment. The primary end point is long COVID-19, defined as ≥1 symptom at 3 weeks beyond the first symptom onset or positive diagnosis, whichever comes first. The secondary end point is chronic COVID-19, defined as ≥1 symptom at 12 weeks beyond the first symptom onset or positive diagnosis. Participants must be willing and able to consent to participate in the study and adhere to study procedures for 6 months. ResultsThe first patient was enrolled in October 2021. The estimated year for publishing the study results is 2025. ConclusionsThis is a fully decentralized study investigating PASC using wearable devices to collect physiological parameters and patient-reported outcomes. The study will shed light on the duration and symptom manifestation of PASC in nonhospitalized patient subgroups and is an exemplar of the use of wearables as population-level monitoring health tools for communicable diseases. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04927442; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04927442 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/57382