STIMULATE-ICP

STIMULATE-ICP or Symptoms, Trajectory, Inequalities and Management: Understanding Long-COVID to Address and Transform Existing Integrated Care Pathways is a large research consortium running a number of trials to improve the diagnosis, treatment and care of Long COVID patients.

Aims
According to STIMULATE-ICP:

"The overall programme aims to work out what long COVID is, how to diagnose it and how to manage it. The team will interview patients and health professionals and analyse data from NHS records,to inform understanding of patterns of long COVID and the outcomes of current clinical practice. Researchers will work alongside patients to improve access to care and support, and to address care inequalities."

Consortium members
Over 30 different researchers and 30 different organizations are involved, including the LongCovidSOS and UK Doctors long COVID patient groups and the British Heart Foundation charity, a number of British universities and UK NHS hospital trusts, plus several industry partners.

Clinical trials
A number of different clinical trials will be run by STIMULATE-ICP, involving over 4,500 patients, and will include:
 * a new care pathway, with "enhanced rehabilitation" using the 'Living with COVID Recovery' digital platform
 * a drug trial testing several different drugs, including:
 * Famotidine/Loratidine: These anti-histamines may reduce the "persistent inflammation" found in some Long COVID patients that is related to mast cell activation (MCAS or MCAD) and the release of histamine.
 * Rivaroxaban: "Micro-clots" in the circulation of people with Long COVID may be reducing oxygen available to large muscles during exercise. The anti-clotting drug rivaroxaban may address the the post-exertional malaise found in some people with long COVID
 * Colchicine: This anti-inflammatory may reduce inflammation around the lining of the heart (pericarditis) and lungs (pleuritis). Colchicine is also used for pericarditis and may reduce chest pain and breathlessness (dyspnea) in Long COVID.
 * a "usual care" pathway

Lead investigators

 * Amitava Banerjee - University College London
 * Melissa Heightman - University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Other investigators

 * Elizabeth Murray - lead for the Living with COVID Recovery Programme
 * Paula Lorgelly

News articles and interviews

 * Jul 2021, New clinical trial aims to improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of long COVID - National Institute of Health Research

Online presence

 * Website

Learn more

 * STIMULATE-ICP: Understanding long COVID to improve diagnosis, treatment and care
 * Frequently asked questions - STIMULATE-ICP