Frontiers in Public Health (Jan 2024)

Prevalence, predictors, and patient-reported outcomes of long COVID in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients from the city of São Paulo, Brazil

  • Daniel Tavares Malheiro,
  • Sabrina Bernardez-Pereira,
  • Kauê Capellato Junqueira Parreira,
  • João Gabriel Dias Pagliuso,
  • Emerson de Paula Gomes,
  • Daisa de Mesquita Escobosa,
  • Carolina Ivo de Araújo,
  • Beatriz Silva Pimenta,
  • Vivian Lin,
  • Silvana Maria de Almeida,
  • Paula Tuma,
  • Claudia Regina Laselva,
  • Miguel Cendoroglo Neto,
  • Sidney Klajner,
  • Vanessa Damazio Teich,
  • Takaaki Kobayashi,
  • Michael B. Edmond,
  • Alexandre R. Marra,
  • Alexandre R. Marra

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1302669
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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BackgroundRobust data comparing long COVID in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients in middle-income countries are limited.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted in Brazil, including hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. Long COVID was diagnosed at 90-day follow-up using WHO criteria. Demographic and clinical information, including the depression screening scale (PHQ-2) at day 30, was compared between the groups. If the PHQ-2 score is 3 or greater, major depressive disorder is likely. Logistic regression analysis identified predictors and protective factors for long COVID.ResultsA total of 291 hospitalized and 1,118 non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were included. The prevalence of long COVID was 47.1% and 49.5%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression showed female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 4.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.51–8.37), hypertension (OR = 2.90, 95% CI 1.52–5.69), PHQ-2 > 3 (OR = 6.50, 95% CI 1.68–33.4) and corticosteroid use during hospital stay (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.20–5.04) as predictors of long COVID in hospitalized patients, while female sex (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.95–3.27) and PHQ-2 > 3 (OR = 3.88, 95% CI 2.52–6.16) were predictors in non-hospitalized patients.ConclusionLong COVID was prevalent in both groups. Positive depression screening at day 30 post-infection can predict long COVID. Early screening of depression helps health staff to identify patients at a higher risk of long COVID, allowing an early diagnosis of the condition.

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