A comprehensive nationwide study in South Korea has shed new light on the long-term mortality and associated factors among older adults hospitalized with COVID-19. The research, published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports, reveals that the 1-year mortality rate after hospital discharge was comparable to the in-hospital mortality rate, highlighting the lasting impact of this disease. The study identified key risk factors, such as older age, male sex, cardiovascular disease, and the severity of illness experienced during hospitalization. Interestingly, the findings also suggest that COVID-19 vaccination had a long-term protective effect, reducing the risk of death among survivors. This in-depth analysis provides crucial insights into the long-term health consequences of COVID-19, particularly for vulnerable older populations, and underscores the importance of continued vigilance and comprehensive care even after hospital discharge.
Unraveling the Lasting Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and lasting impact on global health, with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leading to a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic cases to life-threatening Click Here
</a>. While the initial focus was on managing the acute phase of the disease, researchers have increasingly turned their attention to the long-term consequences faced by COVID-19 survivors.</p>
<p><h3>Exploring the 1-Year Mortality Rate in Older Adults</h3>
<p>The recent study, conducted by a team of researchers in South Korea, aimed to investigate the 1-year mortality rate and associated risk factors among older adults (aged 60 years and above) who were hospitalized with COVID-19. The researchers utilized a comprehensive nationwide dataset, the K-COV-N database, which is linked to the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and various other COVID-19-related registries.</p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://famefreq.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1729767332_41598_2024_76871_Fig1_HTML.png" alt="figure 1" class="wp-image-1" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fig. 1</figcaption></figure>
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<p><h3>Methodology and Key Findings</h3>
<p>The study included 66,810 older adults hospitalized with COVID-19 between October 2020 and December 2021. After excluding patients who died during hospitalization, the researchers focused on the 63,369 individuals who survived and were discharged from the hospital.</p>
<p>The key findings of the study include:</p>
<p><b>1. Comparable 1-year and in-hospital mortality rates:</b> The 1-year mortality rate among COVID-19 survivors was 4.9%, which was remarkably similar to the in-hospital mortality rate of 4.8%.</p>
<p><b>2. Risk factors for 1-year mortality:</b> Older age, male sex, cardiovascular disease, immunosuppression, the severity of illness during hospitalization (as measured by the need for high-flow nasal cannula, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), and corticosteroid use were all associated with an increased risk of death within 1 year after hospital discharge.</p>
<p><b>3. Protective effect of COVID-19 vaccination:</b> Receiving two or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine was found to have a long-term protective effect, significantly reducing the risk of death among survivors.</p>
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<p><h3>Insights into Long-Term Complications and Quality of Life</h3>
<p>The study also delved into the long-term complications and quality-of-life changes experienced by COVID-19 survivors. The researchers found that non-survivors were more likely to develop various adverse health events, such as sepsis, pulmonary embolism, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ischemic stroke, within the first year after discharge.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the study revealed a significant decline in the quality of life among COVID-19 survivors, with an increase in job loss, mild-to-moderate disabilities, and severe disabilities compared to the period before their COVID-19 diagnosis. Survivors also reported a range of persistent symptoms, including myalgia, anxiety, chest pain, and depression.</p>
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<p><h3>Broader Implications and Future Directions</h3>
<p>The findings of this comprehensive nationwide study in South Korea contribute to our understanding of the long-term health consequences of COVID-19, particularly among older adults, a population that has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The study highlights the need for continued vigilance and comprehensive care for COVID-19 survivors, even after their discharge from the hospital.</p>
<p>The insights gained from this research can inform public health policies, healthcare resource allocation, and the development of targeted interventions to address the long-term needs of COVID-19 survivors. Additionally, the protective effects of COVID-19 vaccination observed in this study underscore the importance of promoting vaccine uptake, especially among vulnerable populations.</p>
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<p><h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The South Korean nationwide study on the 1-year mortality and associated factors in older hospitalized COVID-19 survivors provides invaluable insights into the long-term health consequences of this disease. By highlighting the substantial and lasting impact of COVID-19, particularly on older adults, this research underscores the critical need for comprehensive, long-term care and support for those who have survived the initial illness. As the scientific community continues to unravel the complexities of COVID-19, studies like this will play a crucial role in guiding our understanding and shaping our response to this global health challenge.</p>
<p>Author credit: This article is based on research by Eunji Kim, Jeong-Yeon Kim, Kyoung Min Moon, Tae Wan Kim, Won-Young Kim, Sun‑Young Jung, Moon Seong Baek.</p>
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