Background and Goal: COVID-19 has been considered a condition leading to other post-COVID chronic conditions frequently diagnosed in the primary care setting. This study examines the prevalence of post-COVID conditions among adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 across the United States from 2020-2021. The study then compares the post-COVID conditions among those patients to patients with influenza-like illness and those who had regular wellness visits but weren’t diagnosed with COVID-19. The goal was to understand the prevalence and types of post-COVID conditions over time, and to see if COVID-19 led to more long-term health problems.
Study Approach: The study was conducted by researchers from Stanford University, the CDC, the American Board of Family Medicine Foundation, and the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan. Researchers used the American Family Cohort, a national primary care registry to examine data from the years 2018 to 2021. They compared data from three groups: people who had COVID-19, people from 2018-2019 with flu-like illnesses, and people from 2020-2021 who had regular health check-ups but not COVID-19. Researchers matched people in each group who were similar in age, gender, health status, and other factors. They then checked how many people in each group had long-lasting health problems, looking at the overall number and type of health issues each group had over time.
Main Results:
Why It Matters: This study demonstrates the moderate burden of post-COVID conditions in primary care. The conditions include breathing difficulties, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and type 2 diabetes. Using real-world data from a national primary care registry, the study provides a different picture of the prevalence and impact of post-COVID conditions compared to specialty or hospital settings. Understanding the types and prevalence of post-COVID conditions helps health care professionals diagnose and treat these conditions more effectively.
Post-COVID Conditions in US Primary Care: A PRIME Registry Comparison of Patients With COVID-19, Influenza-Like Illness, and Wellness Visits
Esther E. Velásquez, ScD, et al
Center for Population Health Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
PRE-EMBARGO LINK (Link expires at 5 p.m. July 22nd, 2024)
The Annals of Family Medicine
Study Shows Post-COVID Conditions in Primary Care Are Comparable to Flu and Lower Than Subspecialty and Hospital Settings
22-Jul-2024