Patient symptoms, disabilities, financial problems at 6 months after COVID-19 hospitalization

Editor's Note

This study led by researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, finds that cardiopulmonary, financial, and functional problems were highly prevalent in patients at 6 months after COVID-19 hospitalization. 

This analysis includes a national US cohort of 825 adults discharged from 44 hospitals after COVID-19 infection. 

Among the findings: 

• Cardiopulmonary problems increased from 67.3% at 1 month to 75.4% at 6 months 
• Fatigue increased from 40.7% at 1 month to 50.8% at 6 months 
• Financial problems decreased from 66.1% to 56.4% at 6 months 
• Functional limitations decreased from 55.3% to 47.3% at 6 months. 

The findings suggest the need for healthcare systems, clinicians, and patients to recognize and manage persistent and new patient problems after COVID-19 hospitalization, the researchers say.