Healthcare utilization in the 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection
In this cohort study of 127 859 patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results matched to 127 859 patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 test results, healthcare utilization was elevated in patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 results 6 months after the acute infection. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
Other than COVID-19 and infectious disease sequelae, the most notable post–COVID-19 conditions associated with elevated healthcare utilization over 6 months included alopecia (hair loss), bronchitis, pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis, and dyspnea.
These findings suggest that healthcare systems should consider long-term strategic resource allocation in response to the expected elevated healthcare utilization experienced by patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least 6 months following the acute stage of infection.
