About the Quebec Action pour la/for Post-Covid (QAPC) Research Project

Empowering persons to understand post-COVID-19 syndrome and promote recovery of function and quality of life

Statement of Need

As of April 6th, 2022, 985 300 Quebecers have had a documented COVID-19 infection. It is estimated that 10-30% of persons infected with COVID-19 will suffer from one or many symptoms consistent with a post-COVID-19 syndrome.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) defines Post-COVID-19 syndrome as signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19, continue for more than 12 weeks, and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. In Quebec, the Institut National d’Excellence en Santé et Services Sociaux (INESS) defines post-covid condition when symptoms last 4+ weeks.

This means that 98 530 to 295 590 Quebecers may be suffering from post-COVID-19 syndrome now, and this number will continue to rise. The implications of SARS-CoV2 variants on the incidence and severity of post-COVID-19 syndrome remain to be determined. Facing a new and poorly understood health condition, we argue that a person-centered understanding of the impact and evolution of this condition, including risk and resilience factors, is the first step. We propose an approach to generate this knowledge, in tandem with tools to equip people to manage some of their symptoms and optimize function.

Project Overview

The purpose of the project is to create a functional profile of people with post-COVID-19 syndrome to guide self-management and to prioritize people for more in-depth assessment.

Accomplishing this aim will involve the development and validation of lightweight, person-centered online assessment tools to characterize symptoms and their functional and quality of life impact. We will use Web-based and smartphone technology to inform and empower people, equipping them with the best available evidence to interpret their symptoms and take control of their recovery.

Adult residents of Quebec, 18 years and older, who self-identify as currently having symptoms that they attribute to COVID-19 infection occurring more 4 or more weeks in the past, with or without a positive test, are eligible for this study.

How are we going to conduct the research study?

This study will recruit adults residents of Quebec. Eligible participants will be asked to complete virtual assessments: a combination of online questionnaires, cognitive tests, monitoring of physical activity and symptoms on a smartphone.

Participants will be provided access to an online dashboard with feedback and tailored self-management recommendations.

The QAPC study is no longer recruiting new participants.

If you are already registered, please continue your participation so we can track how the Post-COVID Syndrome evolves.

Thank you for your continued participation.

The QAPC Team

Partnering Institutions