COVID-19 antibody testing study: a nested substudy within Alberta's Tomorrow Project (ATP) in Alberta, Canada.

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• The Alberta's Tomorrow Project (ATP) is a prospective cohort study investigating cancer and chronic disease causes.
• The COVID-19 Antibody Testing (CAT) study, a longitudinal substudy of ATP, was conducted from 2020-2022.
• The CAT study aimed to understand SARS-CoV-2 spread and impact within the ATP cohort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design, recruitment, and initial findings of the CAT study.
• To assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and the incidence of long COVID.
• To evaluate the pandemic's impact on participants' mental health and financial well-being.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort substudy involving approximately 4000 ATP participants across four Alberta cities.
• Participants completed online surveys and provided blood samples every 4 months for 1 year.
• Blood samples were analyzed for antinucleocapsid and antispike SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Main Results:

• 4102 participants consented at baseline, with nearly 90% completing the study.
• 15% of participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies; 18% of those infected reported long COVID.
• 96% of participants received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose by study end.
• Younger participants (<50 years) reported higher rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
• 15% of participants experienced moderate to major financial difficulties due to the pandemic.

Conclusions:

• The CAT study provides valuable insights into SARS-CoV-2 infection, long COVID, and the pandemic's multifaceted impacts.
• Continued follow-up within the ATP cohort will allow for investigation of long-term COVID-19 sequelae.
• Data from the CAT study are available to researchers to further explore pandemic-related health outcomes.