East Alabama Health partners with Duke, NIH to study Long COVID Treatments

OPELIKA, Ala.— Alabama has one of the highest incidences of Long COVID in the United States. Alabamians facing the condition often deal with persistent symptoms long after recovering from the initial infections. Clinical researchers practicing at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) are working with the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Duke Clinical Research Institute to better understand and treat the effects of long COVID. 

As part of the NIH’s RECOVER initiative, Drs. Nathan Douthit and Haley Clay are conducting clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of two potential treatments for patients with Long COVID.

“We are involved in the RECOVER-Autonomic arm, which means we are looking at the autonomic symptoms of Long COVID such as fast heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue,” said Dr. Douthit, principal investigator and director of EAMC’s Internal Medicine Residency Program. “I am excited to see what therapies develop as a result of this study and expand our knowledge of treatment for this condition.”

Long COVID refers to a range of symptoms that persist for weeks, or months, after a patient has first contracted COVID-19. 

With roughly 380 participants taking part in the Autonomic part of the study, researchers at EAMC are playing a crucial role in better understanding a condition disproportionately affecting Alabamians. As the principal investigator of the EAMC site, Dr. Douthit meets with all patients involved with the study and monitors their progress throughout the trial.

In addition to the Long COVID clinical trials being conducted at EAMC, the hospital’s research initiatives span a wide range of disciplines, advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes on a national scale. East Alabama Health’s Office of Clinical Research facilitates collaboration between researchers and leading institutions on studies with the goal of transforming health care for patients. 

“Research is rapidly expanding at East Alabama Medical Center,” Dr. Douthit said. “This is a great development for our community as it enables us to help patients and participate in the development of science in the future.”

Through initiatives like the Long COVID clinical trial, East Alabama Health continues to drive innovation and improve patient outcomes. For more information about the Long COVID trial or other research opportunities currently available, visit eastalabamahealth.org/research or contact the Office of Clinical Research by calling 334-528-4280 or emailing research@eamc.org.

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About East Alabama Health

East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital in Valley, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinics and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 314-bed regional referral hospital that is currently under construction to add 30 critical care beds. EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital provides emergency and outpatient services while its campus also features a nursing home and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 3,800 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University. For more information, visit www.eastalabamahealth.org.