Post-Coronavirus Disease Condition among Nonhospitalized Patients in Honduras: A Prospective Cohort Study: 2022-2023

To characterize the burden of and identify risk factors for post-coronavirus disease (COVID) condition among high-risk, nonhospitalized patients in Honduras, patients with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who were discharged from five urban triage facilities were prospectively recruited. These patients were recruited between May and September 2022. Inclusion criteria included a positive COVID-19 antigen test result and either age greater than 60 years or age greater than 45 years with elevated risk for severe COVID-19. Follow-up was conducted at 3 and 4.5 months by telephone. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of post-COVID condition. At enrollment, 98% of participants had received two or more doses of the COVID vaccine. Three months after enrollment, 464/1,133 participants (41%) reported ongoing symptoms. Female sex (adjusted odd ratio [aOR]: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.29-2.19), three or more comorbidities (aOR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03-2.55), and the number of symptoms at enrollment (aOR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.59-3.71 for 7-9 symptoms; aOR 3.61, 95% CI: 2.25-5.86 for 10 or more symptoms) were predictive of ongoing symptoms. A total of 4.5 months after enrollment, 258/852 patients (30%) reported ongoing symptoms. Female sex (aOR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.31-2.54), the number of comorbidities (aOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.07-3.36 for two comorbidities; aOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.33-4.39 for three or more comorbidities), the number of enrollment symptoms (aOR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.05-2.95 for 7-9 symptoms; aOR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.45-4.71 for 10 or more symptoms), and three versus four vaccine doses (aOR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.06-2.22) were predictive of ongoing symptoms. These findings raise concern for an under-recognized burden of post-COVID condition in Honduras. Further research is needed to determine if findings from this high-risk cohort are indicative of post-COVID condition burden among other populations in the region.