Analysis of acute COVID-19 including chronic morbidity: protocol for the deep phenotyping National Pandemic Cohort Network in Germany (NAPKON-HAP)
Authors: Steinbeis Fridolin , Thibeault Charlotte , Steinbrecher Sarah , Ahlgrimm Yvonne , Haack Ira an , August Dietrich , Balzuweit Beate , Bellinghausen Carla , Berger Sarah , Chaplinskaya-Sobol Irina , Cornely Oliver , Doeblin Patrick , Endres Matthias , Fink Claudia , Finke Carsten , Frank Sandra , Hanß Sabine , Hartung Tim , Hellmuth Johannes Christian , Herold Susanne , Heuschmann Peter , Heyckendorf Jan , Heyder Ralf , Hippenstiel Stefan , Hoffmann Wolfgang , Kelle Sebastian Ulrich , Knape Philipp , Koehler Philipp , Kretzler Lucie , Leistner David Manuel , Lienau Jasmin , Lorbeer Roberto , Lorenz-Depiereux Bettina , Lüttke Constanze Dorothea , Mai Knut , Merle Uta , Meyer-Arndt Lil Antonia , Miljukov Olga , Muenchhoff Maximilian , Müller-Plathe Moritz , Neuhann Julia , Neuhauser Hannelore , Nieters Alexandra , Otte Christian , Pape Daniel , Pinto Rafaela Maria , Pley Christina , Pudszuhn Annett , Reuken Philipp , Rieg Siegberg , Ritter Petra , Rohde Gernot , Rönnefarth Maria , Ruzicka Michael , Schaller Jens , Schmidt Anne , Schmidt Sein , Schwachmeyer Verena , Schwanitz Georg , Seeger Werner , Stahl Dana , Stobäus Nicole , Stubbe Hans Christian , Suttorp Norbert , Temmesfeld Bettina , Thun Sylvia , Triller Paul , Trinkmann Frederik , Vadasz Istvan , Valentin Heike , Vehreschild Maria , von Kalle Christof , von Lilienfeld-Toal Marie , Weber Joachim , Welte Tobias , Wildberg Christian , Wizimirski Robert , Zvork Saskia , Sander Leif Erik , Vehreschild Janne , Zoller Thomas , Kurth Florian , Witzenrath Martin 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
The severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic causes a high burden of acute and long-term morbidity and mortality worldwide despite global efforts in containment, prophylaxis, and therapy. With unprecedented speed, the global scientific community has generated pivotal insights into the pathogen and the host response evoked by the infection. However, deeper characterization of the pathophysiology and pathology remains a high priority to reduce morbidity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods
NAPKON-HAP is a multi‐centered prospective observational study with a long‐term follow‐up phase of up to 36 months post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. It constitutes a central platform for harmonized data and biospecimen for interdisciplinary characterization of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and long-term outcomes of diverging disease severities of hospitalized patients.

Results
Primary outcome measures include clinical scores and quality of life assessment captured during hospitalization and at outpatient follow-up visits to assess acute and chronic morbidity. Secondary measures include results of biomolecular and immunological investigations and assessment of organ-specific involvement during and post-COVID-19 infection. NAPKON-HAP constitutes a national platform to provide accessibility and usability of the comprehensive data and biospecimen collection to global research.

Conclusion
NAPKON-HAP establishes a platform with standardized high-resolution data and biospecimen collection of hospitalized COVID-19 patients of different disease severities in Germany. With this study, we will add significant scientific insights and provide high-quality data to aid researchers to investigate COVID-19 pathophysiology, pathology, and chronic morbidity.