COVID-19 hospitalization associated with long-term organ damage and mortality

COVID-19 hospitalization associated with long-term organ damage and mortality

A large French study found that patients with Covid-19 are at significantly higher risk of long-term organ dysfunction, hospitalization and mortality up to 30 months after infection with Covid-19.

A current oneInfectious diseases The study determines the risk of long-term health complications after recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The global impact of Covid-19

Since its emergence at the end of 2019, over 700 million people worldwide have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pathogen responsible for Covid-19. SARS-CoV-2 infection can result in a wide range of symptoms, with some people remaining asymptomatic while others have severe illness that can lead to death. To date, over seven million deaths have been directly attributed to Covid-19.

Long Covid is characterized by symptoms that persist for over a month after recovery from an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Current estimates show that approximately 70% of patients who required hospitalization due to COVID-199 are at higher risk of developing long Covid.

In addition to Long Covid, SARS-CoV-2 infection also increases the risk of damage to various organs. A recent study also reported that Covid-19 affected the affected person's health status for at least three years after the infection began. However, the follow-up period of this study was limited.

About the study

The current retrospective cohort study assessed the risk of long-term health complications of CoVID-19 using French medical administrative data (Système National des Données de Santé-Snds). This dataset contained detailed health records such as medications, procedures and diagnosis of approximately 99% of the French population.

The risks of hospitalization, mortality and hospitalization-related disorders for specific organ disorders within 30 months of COVID-19 hospitalization were quantified and compared with a matched control group from the general population in France.

The study cohort included Covid-19 exposed individuals aged 18 years and older who required hospitalization. These patients were hospitalized for at least one day and discharged alive between January 1, 2020 and August 30, 2020. The control group “Unexposed General Population” included adults who did not require hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infection during the study period.

All study participants were monitored for up to 30 months after the start of the study or until death if it occurred before this point. COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalizations, all-cause mortality, and hospitalization for various organ-specific diseases associated with psychiatric, respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, liver or kidney disorders, and diabetes were considered.

Study results

A total of 63,990 people were included in the Covid-19 hospitalized group and 319,891 were matched in the control group with a ratio of 1:5. The average age of the study participants was 53.1 years, of whom approximately 53% were male.

Most people in the Covid-19 hospital group were from disadvantaged areas, overweight, smokers or had a history of alcohol abuse. Compared to the control group, CoVID-19 hospitalized patients were more likely to be diagnosed with pre-existing comorbidities.

During the follow-up period, all-cause mortality was estimated at 17.7% in the COVID-199 hospital group and 8.5% in the GP control group. Total home stays were estimated at 16,334 and 12,095 per 100,000 people in the Covid-19 hospital and GP control groups, respectively. These results suggest that the Covid-19 hospitalization group was at higher risk of all-cause mortality and hospitalizations for Gesand and 30 months after the first infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Compared to the GP control group, those in the Covid-19 Hospitalized group had a significantly higher risk of hospitalization for long-term health events associated with various organ system disorders. These included cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, other cardiomyopathy, cardiac rhythm or conduction disorders, and respiratory disorders, including chronic subrespiratory interruption disorders and thromboembolic events for up to 30 months after hospital discharge.

The study participants from the Covid-19 hospital group also had an increased risk of diabetes, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders and chronic kidney failure than the control group.

Conclusions

Patients who required hospitalization due to SARS-COV-2 infection are at increased risk of overall and 30-month mortality after initial infection. A higher risk of various organ diseases persisted in the first six months, followed by a gradual decline and significantly higher in the next 24 months.

Taken together, the study results emphasize the importance of closely monitoring patients who have recovered from Covid-19 for extended periods to reduce the risk of developing long-term adverse outcomes. Additional investigations are also needed to elucidate the pathophysiological changes in post-Covid-199 disease.

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