Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
Long COVID Syndrome, Mortality and Morbidity in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 From 16 Countries: The World
Karen Sliwa1,2, Kavita Singh3,4,5, Kalyani Nikhare3,4
1Cape Heart Institute, Department of Medicine and Cardiology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Insights
A significant portion of COVID-19 patients experience persistent long COVID symptoms and face mortality risks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Early identification and management are crucial for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Long-term consequences of COVID-19 impact multiple organ systems, necessitating a thorough understanding of disease burden and determinants of persistent symptoms.
- Data on long COVID complications, especially from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), remain limited.
- The World Heart Federation (WHF) conducted a global study to assess vascular complications, persistent long COVID symptoms, and factors influencing mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) up to one year post-hospitalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence of vascular complications and persistent long COVID symptoms in a diverse patient cohort.
- To identify factors associated with mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in COVID-19 survivors.
- To provide insights into the long-term health burden of COVID-19, with a focus on LMICs.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 2535 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, with follow-up up to one year post-discharge.
- Collected data on long COVID symptoms, quality of life, new onset diseases, MACE, and mortality at multiple time points (1, 3, 6, 9-12 months).
- Employed descriptive and generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression analyses to determine factors associated with mortality and MACE.
Main Results:
- 64% of participants were from LMICs; 56% were male, with a mean age of 59.5 years.
- Over half (56%) reported major long COVID symptoms at 1 month, and a quarter (25%) had persistent symptoms at 9-12 months.
- Cumulative one-year mortality was 15%. Factors associated with increased mortality and MACE included age, obesity, ICU admission, and pre-existing cardiovascular or pulmonary disease.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a substantial burden of mortality and morbidity associated with COVID-19.
- A quarter of patients experienced persistent long COVID symptoms one year post-infection.
- Findings highlight the urgent need for early identification and management strategies for long COVID, especially in LMICs.
Background:
Long-term adverse consequences of the COVID-19 infection affect many organ systems, which requires comprehensive understanding of the disease burden and determinants of persistent long COVID-19 symptoms in diverse population. However, data on long COVID complications are sparse, particularly from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Heart Federation (WHF) global study assessed the incidence of vascular complications, persistent long COVID symptoms and factors associated with mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among patients with COVID-19 up to one year after hospitalization.
Methods:
We recruited a total of 2535 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and followed up to one-year post-hospital discharge. We collected data on long COVID symptoms, quality of life, and clinical outcomes, including new onset diseases, MACE, and mortality at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-12 months post-discharge. Descriptive and generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression analysis was performed to assess the factors associated with mortality and MACE.
Findings:
The majority of participants were recruited from LMICs (64%) and male (56%) with a mean (SD) age of 59.5 (20.0) years. Among those tested for COVID-19 strain (52%), Omicron strain was the most prevalent (98%). The follow-up rate at one year was 90%. Over half of the participants (56%) reported experiencing at least one major long COVID symptom (fatigue, breathlessness, anxiety, chest pain, and palpitations) at 1-month, and one-quarter participants reported persistent long COVID symptoms at 9-12 months. On the EQ-5D scale, 49% reported difficulties in usual activities, 33% reported anxiety/depression, and 23% reported problems in mobility within the first 6 months. The most frequent new-onset illnesses were pulmonary embolism (8%), kidney disease (4%), and hypertension (3%). The cumulative all-cause mortality rate was 15% (n = 382) at one-year post-discharge. Long COVID symptoms were more common among females, individuals with pre-existing comorbidities, and those with more severe acute illness. Age, obesity, ICU admission, and underlying cardiovascular or pulmonary disease were associated with increased risk of mortality and MACE.
Conclusion:
The study showed a substantial burden of mortality and morbidity, and a quarter of patients reported at least one persistent long COVID symptom after one year. Our findings underscore the need for early identification and management of long COVID symptoms in LMICs.
More Related Videos
08:05Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
10:21Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Inflammation in the Co-occurrence of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: September 20, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:26Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...