Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: Group A (healthy controls) 1. Adults (18 years or more) of both genders (Female/Male: 50/50 ratio) 2. No history of severe pneumonia (sCAP, COVID-19 or HAP) 3. Presence of no or one of the following comorbidities: obesity (defined as body mass index over 35 kg/m2), type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, essential arterial hypertension, or familial history of CVD. Group B (CVRD controls) 1. Adults (18 years or more) of both genders (Female/Male ratio: 50/50) 2. No history of severe pneumonia (sCAP, COVID-19 or HAP) 3. At least two of the following comorbidities: obesity (defined as body mass index over 35 kg/m2), type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, essential arterial hypertension, or familial history of CVD Group C (COVID-19 survivors) 1. Adults (18 years or more) of both genders (Female/Male ratio: 50/50) 2. Survivors from severe COVID-19 pneumonia at hospital discharge; all patients had consolidation in chest X-ray or chest computed tomography during acute infection and were treated for pneumonia 3. SoC treatment for acute COVID-19 with dexamethasone Group D (sCAP survivors) 1. Adults (18 years or more) of both genders 2. Survivors from sCAP pneumonia; these patients may be either hospitalized in the ward with pO2FiO2 ratio less than 300 or require admission and hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit. 3. SoC treatment for sCAP with antibiotics Exclusion Criteria: Group A (healthy controls) 1. Presence of two or more comorbidities 2. Any other co-existing disorder generating CVRD symptoms 3. Limited chance of survival for at least six months due to co-existing comorbidity (-ies) according to the judgement of the attending physicians 4. Pregnancy or lactation Group B (CVRD controls) 1. Any other co-existing disorder generating CVRD symptoms 2. Limited chance of survival for at least six months due to co-existing comorbidity (-ies) according to the judgement of the attending physicians 3. Pregnancy or lactation Group C (COVID-19 survivors) 1. Medical history of severe congestive heart failure (Stage III-IV) 2. Medical history of stage III or IV dyspnoea according to the New York Heart Association classification before the acute COVID-19 3. Limited chance of survival for at least six months due to co-existing comorbidity (-ies) according to the judgement of the attending physicians 4. Pregnancy or lactation Group D (sCAP survivors) 1. Medical history of severe congestive heart failure (Stage III-IV) 2. Medical history of stage III or IV dyspnoea according to the New York Heart Association classification before the sCAP 3. Limited chance of survival for at least six months due to co-existing comorbidity (-ies) according to the judgement of the attending physicians 4. Pregnancy or lactation