Study: One in two patients with severe coronavirus develop complications and other health problems

According to a comprehensive British study, as many as one in two patients admitted with the severe COVID-19 disease develop other health problems and complications. Data from more than 70,000 corona patients at over 300 hospitals in the UK have been reviewed in the study.

The most common health complications were kidney and lung problems, but neurological disorders and heart problems were also reported to a large extent.

The complications were also common in young people without previous health problems. A total of 27% of patients between 19 and 29 years and 37% between 30 and 39 years experienced at least one complication after being admitted with COVID-19.

Breaks from established notions

The researchers behind the study, which is published in the medical journal The Lancet, say the study should be a wake-up call for decision-makers about the long-term ailments of seriously ill corona patients.

“The findings contradict the current notion that COVID-19 is only dangerous for people with an underlying disease and the elderly,” the lead author, professor Calum Semple at the University of Liverpool, said.

“The severity of the disease at admission is an indicator of complications even in younger adults, so prevention of complications requires a primary prevention strategy, which means vaccination,” Semple emphasized.

Not “long COVID”

The findings further show that the complications were more prevalent in men than in women. 

One of the most important findings is that 27% of patients were less able to take care of themselves after being discharged from the hospital, regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity.

The researchers say the registered complications are something other than what is referred to as “long COVID,” where patients have symptoms directly related to the disease for several weeks and often months after infection.

Warning for the authorities

They call for long-term monitoring of the health problems of corona patients and point out that the authorities should be prepared to undergo specialized follow-up of survivors.

“It is important that with the high risk of complications and the impact this has on humans, that complications related to COVID-19 – not just death – are considered when making decisions on how best to cope with the pandemic,” co-author Aya Riad at the University of Edinburgh stated.

“Focusing only on COVID-19 deaths is likely to underestimate the real impact, especially in younger people who are more likely to survive severe coronavirus.”

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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