ICMR Study Reveals Long-term Impacts of Covid-19 Hospitalizations

August 25, 2023

A recent study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) investigated the outcomes of 14,419 Covid-19 patients hospitalized across 31 hospitals. The study focused on patients with moderate to severe disease caused by original, delta, or omicron coronavirus variants since September 2020. The study disclosed that approximately 6.5% of these patients died within the year following hospitalization, comparable to global statistics. Moreover, 17.1% experienced post-Covid-19 conditions such as fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive abnormalities.

The study identified factors influencing mortality, including comorbidity, age, and gender. Those with comorbid conditions were over 9 times more likely to die, while men and individuals above 60 years faced elevated risks. Children aged 0 to 18 had a 5.6-fold higher risk during the year following infection. The study also indicated that a single vaccine dose prior to infection reduced one-year mortality by 60%.

What were the main findings of the ICMR study?

The study, encompassing 14,419 Covid-19 patients hospitalized since September 2020, revealed a 6.5% mortality rate within a year after hospitalization. Around 17.1% experienced post-Covid-19 conditions. It also highlighted the increased mortality risk associated with comorbidities, age, and gender.

How did the study define “post-Covid-19 conditions”?

The study defined “post-Covid-19 conditions” as the persistence or new onset of fatigue, breathlessness, or cognitive abnormalities, due to the lack of established definitions from organizations like the World Health Organization or the CDC during patient enrollment.

What impact did a single vaccine dose have on mortality?

The study indicated that a single vaccine dose prior to Covid-19 infection reduced one-year mortality by 60%, emphasizing the importance of vaccination even before exposure.

Who faced a higher risk of mortality according to the study?

The study revealed that individuals with comorbid conditions were at the highest risk of mortality, being more than 9 times likely to die within a year. Men were 1.3 times more likely to die, while those above 60 years were 2.6 times more likely.

What risk did children face in terms of mortality?

Children between 0 and 18 years had a 5.6-fold higher risk of death in the year following infection, with a 1.7-fold increase in the immediate four weeks post-hospitalization. Severe comorbidities among admitted children were hypothesized as a reason for the higher odds of death.

Can mild Covid-19 variants lead to long Covid?

The long Covid might occur even in individuals with mild Covid-19. While symptoms improve with therapy, over-diagnosis of long Covid may be occurring, warranting consideration of alternative causes for reported symptoms.

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