RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Functional Impact of Acute Respiratory Viral Infections in Older Adults

This important study is designed for people aged 60 and over who have been in hospital with common respiratory viruses, such as flu, COVID-19, RSV, or human metapneumovirus. Researchers want to understand how these infections affect an older person's ability to look after themselves and live independently after they leave hospital. Many older people get very sick from these viruses, and sometimes they don't fully recover their independence. By gathering this information, the study aims to improve advice on preventing these infections and creating better vaccination plans, ultimately helping older adults stay healthier and more independent for longer.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital, Grenoble

Enrolment target

1,600

Start

15 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

15 Jun 2028

Respiratory Infections in Old Age

What is this study about?

When we get older, our immune system, which helps us fight off infections, doesn't work quite as well as it used to. This means older adults are more likely to get sick from common viruses that affect our breathing, like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV. These infections can sometimes be very serious, leading to a stay in hospital. Unfortunately, for some older people, getting very ill can also mean they lose some of their ability to do everyday things on their own, like cooking, cleaning, or even looking after their personal needs.

This international study wants to understand more about this. Specifically, it's looking at how being in hospital with one of these common respiratory viruses truly affects an older person's independence afterwards. The goal is to see if people need more help with daily tasks, or if they can bounce back to how they were before they got sick. This information is vital because it helps doctors and public health experts understand the real effects of these infections beyond just getting better from the illness itself.

By learning more about how these viruses impact older adults' independence, the study hopes to provide strong evidence for creating better ways to prevent these infections in the first place. This could mean more targeted vaccination programmes or other preventative strategies. Ultimately, the aim is to help older people stay healthier, more independent, and enjoy a better quality of life for longer.

Key takeaways

Targets people aged 60 and over who were hospitalised with specific breathing viruses.
Aims to understand how these viruses affect an older person's independence.
Involves answering questions in hospital and during two phone calls over 6 months.
No new medicines or treatments are part of this study.
Helps improve future prevention and vaccination strategies for older adults.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you are 60 years old or older and have recently been in hospital because of a breathing infection. This infection must have been confirmed by a lab test as being one of the following viruses: flu, COVID-19, RSV, or human metapneumovirus. It's okay if you also had other germs at the same time.

However, there are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you already have a very severe disability, a terminal illness, or if you can't understand or answer questions due to conditions like severe dementia or a major stroke. The study also needs you to be able to talk on the phone for follow-up checks a few months later, so if you can't do that, you wouldn't be eligible. Also, if your breathing infection was caused by a different virus, you wouldn't be able to join this specific study. Lastly, if you are currently taking part in another study involving a new or unapproved medicine, or if you are part of certain groups considered 'protected' (like pregnant women or people in prison), you wouldn't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 60 years old or older?
Were you recently in hospital for a breathing infection?
Was your infection confirmed to be flu, COVID-19, RSV, or human metapneumovirus?
Can you answer questions and participate in phone calls over the next 6 months?
Do you not have a severe disability that significantly impacts your daily life currently?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study will mainly involve answering questions about your health and how well you can manage daily activities. This will happen while you are in the hospital. You will also get phone calls at 3 months and again at 6 months after you leave the hospital, asking similar questions to see how you are recovering and how independent you are. There are no new medications or treatments involved in this study. It's about collecting information to understand the illness better. The total time you would be involved in the study, from starting in the hospital to your last phone call, would be about 6 months.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no significant physical risks involved in this study as it doesn't involve any new treatments or procedures. The main commitment is your time to answer questions during your hospital stay and during the follow-up phone calls. You might find some questions personal, but you don't have to answer anything you don't want to. While this study won't directly benefit your health immediately, the information gathered will help improve care and prevention strategies for older adults in the future. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and it will not affect your medical care in any way.

Locations (24)

University of Rochester School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit
Verified postcode
Rochester, United States· Recruiting
University Hospital of Amiens
Verified postcode
Amiens, France· Active not recruiting
Melun Hospital
Verified postcode
Melun, France· Recruiting
Villeneuve Saint Georges Hospital
Verified postcode
Paris, France· Active not recruiting
University Hospital of Poitiers
Verified postcode
Poitiers, France· Active not recruiting
University Hospital of Reims
Verified postcode
Reims, France· Active not recruiting
University Hospital of Tours
Verified postcode
Tours, France· Active not recruiting
Klinikum Bayreuth, Klinik für Geriatrie
Verified postcode
Bayreuth, Germany· Not yet recruiting
Abteilung Geriatrie Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Abteilung Geriatrie
Verified postcode
Göttingen, Germany· Not yet recruiting
Uniklinikum Jena, Klinik für Geriatrie
Verified postcode
Jena, Germany· Not yet recruiting
Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, IV. Medizinische Klinik (Geriatrie)
Verified postcode
Mannheim, Germany· Not yet recruiting
Klinikum Ulm, Geriatrisches Zentrum Agaplesion Bethesda
Verified postcode
Ulm, Germany· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What kind of breathing infections are included in this study?

This study focuses on flu, COVID-19, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and human metapneumovirus.

Do I have to take any new medicines if I join?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medicines or treatments. It's about gathering information.

How long will I be involved in the study?

From the time you're in hospital until your last follow-up call, you'd be involved for about 6 months.

Will my privacy be protected?

Yes, all your information will be kept confidential and used only for this research study.

What if I change my mind about participating?

You can withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Gaetan GAVAZZI, MD,PhD

ggavazzi@chu-grenoble.fr 0033(0)476766760 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.