The Fever Clinic Acute Respiratory Cohort

Fudan University1,000 enrolled

Overview

This prospective cohort study aims to characterize the natural progression and outcomes of acute respiratory infections among patients presenting to fever clinics. At enrollment, patients' clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and chest imaging data will be collected. Longitudinal follow-up will be conducted to evaluate disease progression, complications, and long-term outcomes. As an observational study, no interventions are involved; all patients receive routine clinical management as directed by their attending physicians. This real-world study design enables the assessment of the natural course of acute respiratory infections and the identification of factors associated with clinical outcomes.

This prospective cohort study aims to characterize the natural history and outcomes of acute respiratory infection in patients presenting to fever clinics. Upon enrollment, patients' clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters, and chest imaging data will be collected. Subsequent longitudinal follow-up will be performed to assess disease progression, complications, and long-term outcomes. As an observational study, no interventions are implemented; all patients receive standard-of-care management as determined by their attending physicians. This real-world study design allows for the evaluation of the natural progression of acute respiratory infections and the identification of factors associated with clinical outcomes.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

1,000

Conditions

Acute Respiratory Infections Febrile Illnesses Community-acquired Pneumonia

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years (based on official identification document). * Presence of fever at the time of visit or within 24 hours prior to the visit, defined as a documented temperature of ≥37.3°C axillary/tympanic, ≥37.8°C orally, or ≥38.0°C rectally. * The primary cause of fever, as determined by the attending physician, is a respiratory tract infection. * Blood draw is required as part of standard clinical care. * Ability to comprehend the study's purpose, procedures, and potential risks, and willingness to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to provide independent informed consent due to impaired consciousness or other reasons. * Inability to comply with the study procedures. * Medical contraindications to blood sampling, such as severe coagulopathy (e.g., INR \> 3.0, platelet count \< 50 × 10⁹/L). * Diagnosed with a terminal illness (e.g., advanced malignancy, severe multiple organ failure) and a life expectancy of less than 3 months.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Proportion of Participants Hospitalized for Pneumonia

The percentage of patients who require hospitalization due to radiologically confirmed pneumonia within the 30-day follow-up period.

Time frame: 30 days

Secondary Outcomes

Rate of Symptom Resolution at 24 Hours

Proportion of participants achieving complete resolution of patient-reported symptoms (e.g., fever, myalgia) at 24 hours after enrollment.

Time frame: 24 hours

Rate of Symptom Resolution at 7 Days

Time frame: 7 days

Time to Sustained Symptom Resolution

Time frame: 30 days

All-cause Mortality Rate at 30 Days

Time frame: 30 days

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Admission Rate at 30 Days

Time frame: 30 days

Change in White Blood Cell (WBC) Count

Time frame: Baseline, Day 3

Normalization Rate of C-reactive Protein (CRP)

Time frame: Baseline, Day 7

Change in Procalcitonin (PCT) Level

Time frame: Baseline, Day 3

Incidence of Acute Exacerbation of Underlying Chronic Diseases

Time frame: 30 days

Rate of Unplanned Medical Visits

Time frame: 30 days

The Fever Clinic Acute Respiratory Cohort

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Central Contacts