The Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria de Lleida University Hospitals are promoting more than fifty research projects focused on COVID-19

Of these, 2 biomedical research projects and 8 clinical trials are carried out in collaboration and with the support of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine of Lleida (IRBLleida)

The Santa Maria and Arnau de Vilanova University Hospitals in Lleida are developing 53 research projects focused on COVID-19. More than 35 professionals are involved in researching the characteristics of this disease, its treatments and side effects.

Of these studies, 24 are biomedical research projects, 8 are clinical trials and 6 are observational studies based on the analysis of available data. Of these, 2 biomedical research projects and 8 clinical trials are carried out in collaboration with and with the support of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine of Lleida (IRBLleida).

Regarding the objective of the different projects, 20% evaluate the efficacy and safety of various treatments, such as treatment with plasma from donors recovered from COVID-19, the use of chemical compounds or monoclonal antibodies.

In the different units of both hospitals, there is concern about the effect of the pandemic on routine clinical practice, which is why several projects have been initiated to evaluate it and to find out the impact on specific pathologies (HIV, heart failure, obstetric complications, paediatric emergencies, psychiatric emergencies, etc.).

Other research focuses on gaining more knowledge about the characteristics of the disease in paediatric patients, oncology patients, patients with multiple sclerosis, renal failure, etc. The acquisition of immunity and the search for prognostic factors in patients undergoing surgery, with or without SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the impact according to body composition are also being observed.

At Santa Maria University Hospital, projects related to mental health and the post-COVID cognitive and emotional effects stand out, as well as the analysis of possible relapses in the case of people with cognitive impairment or severe mental disorders during the pandemic.

Text: Gabinete de Comunicación e Imagen / Gerencia Territorial ICS Lleida, Alto Pirineo y Arán and Gestión de Servicios Sanitarios

Group of research professionals from the Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital in Lleida. Photography: Gabinet de Comunicació i Imatge / Gerència Territorial ICS Lleida, Alt Pirineu i Aran i Gestió de Serveis Sanitaris