SummaryFrequent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are linked to chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease) and may influence cardiovascular health through co-morbidities or as direct consequences. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, the gold standard for assessing heart structure and function, can help elucidate these relationships. However, current studies are limited to single cohorts, necessitating multi-cohort analyses for broader insights. This study leverages data from the UK Biobank and German National Cohort (NAKO), which include comprehensive participant data, respiratory infection records, and large-scale CMR imaging. Key objectives are: 1. Investigating URTI frequency and its association with CMR metrics, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and disease factors. 2. Analyzing the relationship between CMR metrics and SARS-CoV-2 infection, stratified by prior URTI frequency. 3. Assessing whether CMR metrics mediate the link between URTIs and SARS-CoV-2 outcomes. Data harmonization between cohorts will enable reliable comparisons, with stratified analyses for overlapping age groups. Respiratory infection data from medical records and self-reports will be examined. SARS-CoV-2 status will be defined using self-reports (NAKO) and linked health records (UK Biobank). CMR analysis will derive key metrics (e.g., ventricular volumes, strain, atrial volumes) through standardized protocols. Statistical analyses will summarize demographics, comorbidities, and CMR phenotypes by URTI frequency and SARS-CoV-2 status, calculating risks and developing regression models. This MRC-funded collaborative project between QMUL and HZI integrates expertise in CMR imaging and respiratory epidemiology. Findings aim to improve understanding of infection-cardiovascular interactions, enhance risk prediction, and establish a framework for future multi-cohort studies.

Keywords MRT-Bilddaten SARS-CoV-2 chronische-Erkrankungen respiratorische-Infektion

InstitutionsHelmholtz Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, University of Oxford and UK Biobank, University of Oxford, HZI, Queen Mary University of London, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH, Helmholtz Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH, DKFZ Heidelberg, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg