A set of international consensus studies aiming to harmonise definitions, outcomes for chikungunya disease — from acute severe manifestations to long-term post-infection conditions.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease associated with a spectrum of outcomes — from severe acute manifestations to prolonged post-infection conditions — that continue to challenge researchers and clinicians worldwide. Despite growing recognition of the disease's impact, inconsistent definitions and heterogeneous outcome measures limit the comparability of research findings and the ability to identify and manage patients effectively.
These three linked projects, initiated under ISARIC, aim to address these gaps through systematic evidence review and structured international stakeholder consensus involving clinicians, researchers, patients, policymakers, and industry representatives.
Harmonising Definitions for Severe Chikungunya
Severe manifestations of chikungunya are increasingly recognised, yet definitions remain inconsistent across studies and clinical settings, making it difficult to compare findings and identify patients with severe disease uniformly.
To develop a harmonised and globally applicable definition of severe chikungunya through systematic evidence synthesis and international stakeholder consensus.
Involved in the clinical care and management of patients with chikungunya
Studying chikungunya, severe disease manifestations, outbreak epidemiology, or long-term complications
Representatives of governmental or public health agencies
Representatives from national and international regulatory bodies
Representatives from diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and biotechnology
Harmonising Definitions for Post-Chikungunya Conditions
Some people continue to experience symptoms and other health problems after acute chikungunya infection. However, definitions used to describe these longer-term conditions vary across studies and clinical settings.
To identify symptoms and long-term effects of chikungunya infection that should be included in a harmonised definition of post-chikungunya conditions for research and clinical use.
Young people and adults who have personally experienced post-chikungunya symptoms or long-term health problems following infection
Of people affected by post-chikungunya conditions
Who care for patients with post-chikungunya conditions or long-term complications following infection
Studying chikungunya, chronic manifestations, rehabilitation, or long-term outcomes
Representatives of governmental or public health agencies
Representatives from diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and biotechnology
Standardised Core Outcomes for Chikungunya Research
Researchers globally use heterogeneous outcome measures for chikungunya research, limiting cross-study comparability and evidence synthesis. This international consensus study will develop a standardised set of outcomes for use in all future chikungunya clinical trials and observational research.
Generate a consensus-agreed minimal outcome set for trials and observational studies, and identify appropriate measurement instruments for each core outcome.
A review is ongoing to examine existing clinical trial protocols and observational studies and identify all reported outcomes.
Based on findings from the systematic review, a comprehensive long list of outcomes from the literature will be compiled for stakeholder review.
Diverse global stakeholders will be engaged to refine and contextualise the outcome list.
An online meeting with clinicians of different expertise will be arranged to discuss and finalise the outcome list.
All three projects share a single registration link. Your expertise and perspective — whether as a clinician, researcher, patient, or policymaker — will help shape global standards for chikungunya research.
Register via Qualtrics Questions? Contact the study team at COS@isaric.orgChikungunya is a globally distributed arboviral disease with a growing burden. Severe manifestations and long-term post-infection conditions are increasingly recognised, yet inconsistencies in definitions and outcome measures across studies make it impossible to reliably compare findings, synthesise evidence, or develop effective clinical guidelines. These projects address that gap by establishing internationally agreed, evidence-based standards.
Yes. The three projects are complementary, and participants who are eligible for more than one project are welcome to register for each.
Results will be published in open-access academic journals and disseminated to the global public health and clinical community. Aggregated, anonymised survey findings and summaries from consensus meetings will be reported. Participants may be acknowledged in publications, and a copy of the final results will be shared with those who express interest.
All data will be stored securely on encrypted servers and handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations. Access to identifiable data (e.g. email addresses) will be restricted to authorised members of the study team. Survey responses will be anonymised. Your email address will be used only to send you survey links and study updates, and will be stored separately from your responses.
You may withdraw from the study at any time by informing the study team. You do not need to give a reason. Please contact us at COS@isaric.org and we will arrange this for you.