Thu Sep 12 01:34:01 UTC 2024: ## High Post-Hospital Resource Use in Severe COVID-19 Patients, but Lack of Specificity for PACS

**Paris, France – September 11, 2024** – A new study, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Public Health and Surveillance, has found that patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19 during the initial pandemic wave had significant healthcare resource utilization (HRU) in the months following their discharge. While the study found evidence of new outpatient care in various domains, including medical visits, medications, and rehabilitation, researchers were unable to definitively link these to Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS).

The study, conducted using French National Health System claims data, included 68,822 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between February and June 2020. A total of 23% of these patients died during their hospital stay or within six months of discharge.

The researchers observed significant increases in HRU across multiple domains for these patients in the months following their discharge, compared to their pre-COVID-19 period. Notably, the highest ratios were observed for the care of thoracic conditions.

However, the study authors caution that these findings do not provide definitive proof that the increased HRU is specifically related to PACS. “While the analysis suggests a potential impact of PACS on post-hospital care, it is important to note that this is a descriptive study and further research is needed to address potential confounding factors,” said Dr. Mikhail Dziadzko, lead author of the study.

Further research will focus on controlling for potential confounding variables, including the overall high HRU observed in this patient population, through subgroup analyses.

The study highlights the significant healthcare burden associated with severe COVID-19 and the need for further research into the long-term health implications of the virus.

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