Long-term health outcomes of COVID-19 in ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients up to 2 years after hospitalization: a longitudinal cohort study (CO-FLOW)

Abstract Background Many patients hospitalized for COVID-19 experience long-term health problems, but comprehensive longitudinal data up to 2 years remain limited. We aimed to (1) assess 2-year trajectories of health outcomes, including comparison between intensive care unit (ICU) treated and non-IC...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: J. C. Berentschot, L. M. Bek, M. H. Heijenbrok-Kal, J. van Bommel, G. M. Ribbers, J. G. J. V. Aerts, M. E. Hellemons, H. J. G. van den Berg-Emons, The CO-FLOW collaboration Group
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Intensive Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40560-024-00748-w
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850062053568413696
author J. C. Berentschot
L. M. Bek
M. H. Heijenbrok-Kal
J. van Bommel
G. M. Ribbers
J. G. J. V. Aerts
M. E. Hellemons
H. J. G. van den Berg-Emons
The CO-FLOW collaboration Group
author_facet J. C. Berentschot
L. M. Bek
M. H. Heijenbrok-Kal
J. van Bommel
G. M. Ribbers
J. G. J. V. Aerts
M. E. Hellemons
H. J. G. van den Berg-Emons
The CO-FLOW collaboration Group
author_sort J. C. Berentschot
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Many patients hospitalized for COVID-19 experience long-term health problems, but comprehensive longitudinal data up to 2 years remain limited. We aimed to (1) assess 2-year trajectories of health outcomes, including comparison between intensive care unit (ICU) treated and non-ICU-treated patients, and (2) identify risk factors for prominent health problems post-hospitalization for COVID-19. Methods The CO-FLOW multicenter prospective cohort study followed adults hospitalized for COVID-19 at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-discharge. Measurements included patient-reported outcomes (a.o., recovery, symptoms, fatigue, mental health, sleep quality, return to work, health-related quality of life [HRQoL]), and objective cognitive and physical tests. Additionally, routine follow-up data were collected. Results 650 patients (median age 60.0 [IQR 53.0–67.0] years; 449/650 [69%] male) surviving hospitalization for COVID-19 were included, of whom 273/650 (42%) received ICU treatment. Overall, outcomes improved over time. Nonetheless, 73% (322/443) of patients had not completely recovered from COVID-19, with memory problems (274/443; 55%), concentration problems (259/443; 52%), and dyspnea (251/493; 51%) among most frequently reported symptoms at 2 years. Moreover, 61% (259/427) had poor sleep quality, 51% (222/433) fatigue, 23% (102/438) cognitive failures, and 30% (65/216) did not fully return to work. Objective outcome measures showed generally good physical recovery. Most outcomes were comparable between ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients at 2 years. However, ICU-treated patients tended to show slower recovery in neurocognitive symptoms, mental health outcomes, and resuming work than non-ICU-treated patients, while showing more improvements in physical outcomes. Particularly, female sex and/or pre-existing pulmonary disease were major risk factors for poorer outcomes. Conclusions 73% (322/443) of patients had not completely recovered from COVID-19 by 2 years. Despite good physical recovery, long-term neurocognitive complaints, dyspnea, fatigue, and impaired sleep quality persisted. ICU-treated patients showed slower recovery in neurocognitive and mental health outcomes and resumption of work. Tailoring long-term COVID-19 aftercare to individual residual needs is essential. Follow-up is required to monitor further recovery. Trial registration: NL8710, registration date 12-06-2020.
format Article
id doaj-art-c3f3302cf14e4095891f164aad58d9bc
institution DOAJ
issn 2052-0492
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Journal of Intensive Care
spelling doaj-art-c3f3302cf14e4095891f164aad58d9bc2025-08-20T02:50:00ZengBMCJournal of Intensive Care2052-04922024-11-0112111910.1186/s40560-024-00748-wLong-term health outcomes of COVID-19 in ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients up to 2 years after hospitalization: a longitudinal cohort study (CO-FLOW)J. C. Berentschot0L. M. Bek1M. H. Heijenbrok-Kal2J. van Bommel3G. M. Ribbers4J. G. J. V. Aerts5M. E. Hellemons6H. J. G. van den Berg-Emons7The CO-FLOW collaboration GroupDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus Medical CenterDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus Medical CenterDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus Medical CenterDepartment of Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical CenterDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus Medical CenterDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus Medical CenterDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus Medical CenterDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus Medical CenterAbstract Background Many patients hospitalized for COVID-19 experience long-term health problems, but comprehensive longitudinal data up to 2 years remain limited. We aimed to (1) assess 2-year trajectories of health outcomes, including comparison between intensive care unit (ICU) treated and non-ICU-treated patients, and (2) identify risk factors for prominent health problems post-hospitalization for COVID-19. Methods The CO-FLOW multicenter prospective cohort study followed adults hospitalized for COVID-19 at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-discharge. Measurements included patient-reported outcomes (a.o., recovery, symptoms, fatigue, mental health, sleep quality, return to work, health-related quality of life [HRQoL]), and objective cognitive and physical tests. Additionally, routine follow-up data were collected. Results 650 patients (median age 60.0 [IQR 53.0–67.0] years; 449/650 [69%] male) surviving hospitalization for COVID-19 were included, of whom 273/650 (42%) received ICU treatment. Overall, outcomes improved over time. Nonetheless, 73% (322/443) of patients had not completely recovered from COVID-19, with memory problems (274/443; 55%), concentration problems (259/443; 52%), and dyspnea (251/493; 51%) among most frequently reported symptoms at 2 years. Moreover, 61% (259/427) had poor sleep quality, 51% (222/433) fatigue, 23% (102/438) cognitive failures, and 30% (65/216) did not fully return to work. Objective outcome measures showed generally good physical recovery. Most outcomes were comparable between ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients at 2 years. However, ICU-treated patients tended to show slower recovery in neurocognitive symptoms, mental health outcomes, and resuming work than non-ICU-treated patients, while showing more improvements in physical outcomes. Particularly, female sex and/or pre-existing pulmonary disease were major risk factors for poorer outcomes. Conclusions 73% (322/443) of patients had not completely recovered from COVID-19 by 2 years. Despite good physical recovery, long-term neurocognitive complaints, dyspnea, fatigue, and impaired sleep quality persisted. ICU-treated patients showed slower recovery in neurocognitive and mental health outcomes and resumption of work. Tailoring long-term COVID-19 aftercare to individual residual needs is essential. Follow-up is required to monitor further recovery. Trial registration: NL8710, registration date 12-06-2020.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40560-024-00748-wCOVID-19Long COVIDIntensive careLong-term health outcomes
spellingShingle J. C. Berentschot
L. M. Bek
M. H. Heijenbrok-Kal
J. van Bommel
G. M. Ribbers
J. G. J. V. Aerts
M. E. Hellemons
H. J. G. van den Berg-Emons
The CO-FLOW collaboration Group
Long-term health outcomes of COVID-19 in ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients up to 2 years after hospitalization: a longitudinal cohort study (CO-FLOW)
Journal of Intensive Care
COVID-19
Long COVID
Intensive care
Long-term health outcomes
title Long-term health outcomes of COVID-19 in ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients up to 2 years after hospitalization: a longitudinal cohort study (CO-FLOW)
title_full Long-term health outcomes of COVID-19 in ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients up to 2 years after hospitalization: a longitudinal cohort study (CO-FLOW)
title_fullStr Long-term health outcomes of COVID-19 in ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients up to 2 years after hospitalization: a longitudinal cohort study (CO-FLOW)
title_full_unstemmed Long-term health outcomes of COVID-19 in ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients up to 2 years after hospitalization: a longitudinal cohort study (CO-FLOW)
title_short Long-term health outcomes of COVID-19 in ICU- and non-ICU-treated patients up to 2 years after hospitalization: a longitudinal cohort study (CO-FLOW)
title_sort long term health outcomes of covid 19 in icu and non icu treated patients up to 2 years after hospitalization a longitudinal cohort study co flow
topic COVID-19
Long COVID
Intensive care
Long-term health outcomes
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40560-024-00748-w
work_keys_str_mv AT jcberentschot longtermhealthoutcomesofcovid19inicuandnonicutreatedpatientsupto2yearsafterhospitalizationalongitudinalcohortstudycoflow
AT lmbek longtermhealthoutcomesofcovid19inicuandnonicutreatedpatientsupto2yearsafterhospitalizationalongitudinalcohortstudycoflow
AT mhheijenbrokkal longtermhealthoutcomesofcovid19inicuandnonicutreatedpatientsupto2yearsafterhospitalizationalongitudinalcohortstudycoflow
AT jvanbommel longtermhealthoutcomesofcovid19inicuandnonicutreatedpatientsupto2yearsafterhospitalizationalongitudinalcohortstudycoflow
AT gmribbers longtermhealthoutcomesofcovid19inicuandnonicutreatedpatientsupto2yearsafterhospitalizationalongitudinalcohortstudycoflow
AT jgjvaerts longtermhealthoutcomesofcovid19inicuandnonicutreatedpatientsupto2yearsafterhospitalizationalongitudinalcohortstudycoflow
AT mehellemons longtermhealthoutcomesofcovid19inicuandnonicutreatedpatientsupto2yearsafterhospitalizationalongitudinalcohortstudycoflow
AT hjgvandenbergemons longtermhealthoutcomesofcovid19inicuandnonicutreatedpatientsupto2yearsafterhospitalizationalongitudinalcohortstudycoflow
AT thecoflowcollaborationgroup longtermhealthoutcomesofcovid19inicuandnonicutreatedpatientsupto2yearsafterhospitalizationalongitudinalcohortstudycoflow