Long COVID Found Risky for Seniors

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) published research on the risk of persistent and new clinical sequelae (long-term impact) among seniors following SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Although a meta-analysis of 45 studies examining sequelae after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, only three studies had a median age of 65+ years.

Using UnitedHealth Group Clinical Research Database, these researchers estimated on Feb. 9, 2022, that during the post-acute period, 32 of every 100 seniors infected with SARS-CoV-2 had a diagnosis of one or more new clinical sequelae that required medical attention.

This finding was 11% higher than the younger comparison group.

These 'Long COVID' outcomes included but were not limited to chronic respiratory failure, cardiac rhythm disorders, acute coronary syndromes, hypercoagulability, neurological disorders, kidney injury, diabetes, and anemia.

Although admission to a hospital for covid-19 was associated with a markedly increased risk of persistent and new sequelae for almost all clinical conditions, the larger population of seniors who did not require hospitalization for covid-19 were still at risk for continued or new clinical sequelae in the post-acute phase.

These findings further highlight the wide range of essential sequelae after acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

These researchers disclosed no industry conflicts of interest—correspondence to: K Cohen Ken.Cohen@optum.com.