Short- and Long-Term Mortality and Mortality Risk Factors among Nursing Home Patients after COVID-19 Infection

To assess short- and long-term mortality and risk factors in nursing home patients with COVID-19 infection.

Retrospective 2-center cohort study.

Dutch nursing home patients with clinically suspected COVID-19 infection confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing.

Data were gathered between March 2020 and November 2020 using electronic medical records, including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, medical management, and symptoms on the first day of suspected COVID-19 infection. Mortality at 30 days and 6 months was assessed using multivariate logistic regression models and Kaplan-Meier analysis. At 6 months, a subgroup analysis was performed to estimate the mortality risk between COVID-negative patients and patients who survived COVID-19. Risk factors for mortality were assessed through multivariate logistic regression models.

A total of 321 patients with suspected COVID-19 infection were included, of whom 134 tested positive. Sixty-two patients in the positive group died at 30 days, with a short-term mortality rate of 2.9 (95% CI 1.7-5.3). Risk factors were fatigue (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-6.2) and deoxygenation (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-7.6). At 6 months, the mortality risk was 2.1 (95% CI 1.3-3.7). Risk factors for 6-month mortality were shortness of breath (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-7.0), deoxygenation (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-6.5) and medical management (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.7-25.8). However, among patients who survived COVID-19 infection, the long-term mortality risk was not sustained (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.4-2.7).

Overall, COVID-19 infection increases short- and long-term mortality risk among nursing home patients. However, this study shows that surviving COVID-19 infection does not lead to increased mortality in the long term within this population. Therefore, advanced care planning should focus on quality of life among nursing home patients after COVID-19 infection.