Addressing Critical Issues and Emerging Therapeutics in Transplantation for COVID-19

Project Summary

Transplant recipients are at high risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. The pandemic was not only hard on transplant patients but their caregivers as well. How the pandemic has affected transplant patients and their family physically, mentally and economically has not been investigated. This project will provide the knowledge needed by policymakers to create clinical guidelines, and to support transplant patients and their families. This will be done by recruiting transplant recipients and a caregiver/family member to complete online questionnaires. These questionnaires will gather information about participants physical, mental and economic status.

This is a prospective questionnaire-based study that will occur at multiple sites across Canada. The lead site is the University of Alberta, and BC Children's hospital is one of the participating sites, with Dr. Tom Blydt-Hansen as the principal investigator. Dr. Hana Mitchell is the site collaborator. 

Funding support from Health Canada and the University of Alberta. 

Project Status

Status: Active, pre-enrollment
Study Start Date: To be determined
Study End Date: Ongoing

Study Enrollment Status: Active
Start Date: April 15, 2024
End Date: Ongoing

Project Team

Principal Investigator

Dr. Dima Kabbani
 
Co-Investigators

Sara Belga
Catherine Burton
Sarah Shalhoub
Upton Allen
Chia Wei Teoh
Sacha de Serres
Édith Renoult
Normand Racine
Istvan Mucsi

Research Team Members

Monica Ho
Isabella Parrotta
Linda Li

Enrollment Eligibility Criteria
  • You are a child who was <19 years old at the time of receiving a solid organ transplant, AND - You are on at least one immunosuppressive medication
  • You are followed by a participating transplant center
  • Your family member and/or caregiver has enrolled as a participant in this study

OR

  • You are ≥18 years old and the family member and/or caregiver of a patient with a solid organ transplant, AND
  • You are associated with a patient that is followed by a participating transplant center
  • You are able to provide informed consent

For more information, email sotresearch@bcchr.ca.