AUTHOR=Malheiro Daniel Tavares , Bernardez-Pereira Sabrina , Parreira Kauê Capellato Junqueira , Pagliuso João Gabriel Dias , de Paula Gomes Emerson , de Mesquita Escobosa Daisa , de Araújo Carolina Ivo , Pimenta Beatriz Silva , Lin Vivian , de Almeida Silvana Maria , Tuma Paula , Laselva Claudia Regina , Neto Miguel Cendoroglo , Klajner Sidney , Teich Vanessa Damazio , Kobayashi Takaaki , Edmond Michael B. , Marra Alexandre R. TITLE=Prevalence, predictors, and patient-reported outcomes of long COVID in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients from the city of São Paulo, Brazil JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=11 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1302669 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1302669 ISSN=2296-2565 ABSTRACT=Background

Robust data comparing long COVID in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients in middle-income countries are limited.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Brazil, including hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. Long COVID was diagnosed at 90-day follow-up using WHO criteria. Demographic and clinical information, including the depression screening scale (PHQ-2) at day 30, was compared between the groups. If the PHQ-2 score is 3 or greater, major depressive disorder is likely. Logistic regression analysis identified predictors and protective factors for long COVID.

Results

A total of 291 hospitalized and 1,118 non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were included. The prevalence of long COVID was 47.1% and 49.5%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression showed female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 4.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.51–8.37), hypertension (OR = 2.90, 95% CI 1.52–5.69), PHQ-2 > 3 (OR = 6.50, 95% CI 1.68–33.4) and corticosteroid use during hospital stay (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.20–5.04) as predictors of long COVID in hospitalized patients, while female sex (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.95–3.27) and PHQ-2 > 3 (OR = 3.88, 95% CI 2.52–6.16) were predictors in non-hospitalized patients.

Conclusion

Long COVID was prevalent in both groups. Positive depression screening at day 30 post-infection can predict long COVID. Early screening of depression helps health staff to identify patients at a higher risk of long COVID, allowing an early diagnosis of the condition.