Specialist Healthcare Intervention and Follow-up Trends in Post-Acute COVID-19 Hospitalization as Compared to Other Respiratory Infections.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, often referred to as "long COVID," have raised concerns about increased healthcare utilization following hospitalization. Whether these patterns differ significantly from those observed after other acute respiratory infections (ARIs) remains unclear. This study aimed to compare post-discharge healthcare use between patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and those with other ARIs in Lombardy, Italy.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study using 2021 administrative healthcare data from the Lombardy Region. Patients aged ≥ 40 years hospitalized for COVID-19 or other ARIs were followed for 12 months post-discharge. We evaluated specialist consultations, rehospitalizations, diagnostic testing, and new chronic drug treatment i

SUBMITTER: Colaneri M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12602735 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature