Our research looks at the effects of COVID-19, recovery from infection, and ways to reduce its spread and impact. We share updates in our newsletters and invite our volunteers to take part in new studies via email.
Biological factors in COVID-19 recovery
Our CSS Biobank research has shown that biological factors, such as metabolic health, play a role in how people experience and recover from COVID-19. We found that cholesterol and fatty acid levels can influence how long someone remains unwell, whereas gut bacteria do not seem to have an effect. Additionally, our work with Brighton and Sussex Medical School showed that people with joint hypermobility were 30% more likely to experience ongoing fatigue, suggesting that certain pre-existing conditions may make individuals more vulnerable to long COVID.
The impact of long COVID
By looking at how different symptoms cluster together in people with ongoing COVID symptoms, we found that long COVID presents in different ways. Some people experienced symptoms affecting their heart and lungs, others had neurological issues, and some suffered from widespread inflammation. Using online cognitive assessments, we found that people who had longer infections or more severe symptoms showed cognitive difficulties comparable to ageing by 10 years. These cognitive differences were still present two years after initial COVID infection, but only for people who were still experiences ongoing symptoms. In comparison, we saw no effect of COVID-19 on cognition for people who felt fully recovered, even after having long-term symptoms.
In our Sleeping through the Pandemic study, we found that sleep problems were common in people with long-lasting symptoms, whether they had COVID-19 or not. This study suggests that poor sleep quality and ongoing fatigue are a common part of the experience of living with long-term illness, including long COVID.
We also found that COVID recovery is not the same for everyone – those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who lost jobs or struggled to access healthcare, were more likely to still have symptoms long after infection. Our research emphasises that people’s circumstances before and during the pandemic, as well as their health, had a big impact on how people were able to recover from COVID-19.
Vaccination and public health measures
Our research with the University of Bristol showed that voluntary risk reduction measures, such as vaccination and home testing, helped reduce COVID-19 deaths by up to 24% during the Omicron wave but were not enough to fully stop transmission. On a more positive note, vaccination rates among women of reproductive age were high, though many still had concerns, particularly during pregnancy, due to conflicting advice and misinformation.
Our findings highlight the need for clearer public health messaging and better support for those struggling with the long-term effects of COVID-19. Recognising the diverse ways long COVID affects individuals is essential for improving recovery outcomes.
Ongoing work
We are continuing our research on the genetics of long COVID, investigating whether sleep problems persisted when participants completed a second questionnaire, and analysing pregnancy and birth experiences during the pandemic. We are also seeing how experiences of health care services varied during the pandemic, and understanding longer-term effects of COVID on health by linking our data with NHS records.
Our data and sample collection timeline is here.