long COVID Linked to Higher Hospitalization Rates,Study Finds

United States adults experiencing long COVID demonstrated significantly elevated rates of subsequent hospitalization within six months following their initial infection,according to recent research published in PLOS One. This finding contrasts with individuals who contracted SARS-CoV-2 but did not develop long COVID.

The study, spearheaded by researchers from Rush University Medical Center and Yale School of Medicine, involved a secondary analysis of a prospective, multi-center study focusing on U.S. adults with confirmed COVID-19 infections. Participants completed follow-up surveys at three months post-infection and had electronic health record data available for at least 180 days before and after their initial testing. Individuals exhibiting three or more persistent symptoms at three months were categorized as having long COVID, while those with fewer symptoms were classified as non-long COVID.

Researchers aimed to compare healthcare utilization patterns between the long COVID and non-long COVID groups, examining both pre- and post-infection periods. Healthcare encounters were divided into six categories: inpatient hospitalization, emergency department visits, office visits, procedures, telehealth visits, and other.

“Our understanding of how ongoing post-infectious symptoms impact healthcare usage remains limited, especially concerning the frequency and duration of various healthcare services,” the study authors stated.

Nearly Three Times the Risk of Re-Hospitalization

A total of 847 participants (median age 40; 64% female) met the study’s criteria,with 179 classified as having long COVID and 668 as non-long COVID. Both groups experienced an overall increase in healthcare visits across all six categories in the post-infection period compared to the pre-infection period, notably for office and telehealth appointments.

Compared to the non-long COVID group, individuals with long COVID were less likely to require emergency department visits (odds ratio [OR], 0.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0 to 0.5). however, among long COVID patients who had been hospitalized previously, they were almost three times more likely to experience additional hospitalizations (OR, 2.6; 95% CI,1.5 to 4.6) than those in the non-long COVID group.

“From a public health viewpoint, it is indeed crucial to acknowledge the potential for repeat hospitalizations within this population and to dedicate increased outpatient resources and support systems to minimize the need for inpatient care,” the authors concluded.

FAQ

What is Long COVID? Long COVID refers to a range of symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the initial COVID-19 infection has resolved.

what were the key findings of this study? The study found that adults with long COVID were nearly three times more likely to be re-hospitalized compared to those without long COVID, particularly if they had a prior hospitalization.

What are the implications of these findings? These findings highlight the need for increased outpatient resources and support systems to manage long COVID and reduce the risk of repeat hospitalizations.

Compliance & Disclaimers

This article provides information about a medical study and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of any health condition. The information presented here is for general knowlege and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice.

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