Summary
| Direction in Long COVID | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Vascular |
| Also described as | Vascular adhesion molecule |
| Compared against | HC (healthy controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Vascular inflammation |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| Source | Thomas et al. 2024 — doi:10.1007/s40291-024-00731-z |
| Condition atlas | Long COVID Biomarker Atlas |
Trials, interventions and tests
In clinical-trial registrations this marker maps to the outcome term Circulating Cascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM 1) (1 registered trials use a matching outcome measure).
Clinical trials using VCAM-1 as an outcome
- NCT05890534: Pycnogenol® in Post-COVID-19 Condition (Completed)
Outcome measure: Circulating Cascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM 1)
Related Vascular markers in Long COVID
- ICAM-1 ↑
- Resistin ↑
- von Willebrand Factor (vWF) ↑
- Endothelin-1 ↑
- Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) ↑
- NT-proBNP ↑
- Troponin ↑
Full list: Long COVID Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is VCAM-1 high or low in Long COVID?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher VCAM-1 in Long COVID than in healthy controls. Source: Thomas et al. 2024.
What symptoms is VCAM-1 associated with in Long COVID?
The cited literature associates this marker with Vascular inflammation. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures VCAM-1?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.
Is one abnormal VCAM-1 result diagnostic of Long COVID?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Long COVID. VCAM-1 findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from long-covid.json · Browse: Long COVID atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.