@article{Kamdar_A-2026_221497,
title = {Illness trajectory in the longer term after hospitalisation for COVID-19: a prospective, multicentre cohort study},
author = {Kamdar, A. and Morrow, A. and Sykes, R. and McIntosh, A. and Bagot, C. and Bayes, H. and Blyth, K. and Church, C. and Gillespie, L. and Roditi, G. and Stobo, D. and Weeden, S. and Welsh, P. and Mangion, K. and McConnachie, A. and Berry, C.},
month = {jan},
year = {2026},
abstract = {Background: There are few data on the longer-term illness trajectory of patients following hospitalisation for COVID-19. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 267 adults hospitalised for COVID-19. Longer-term follow up was available for 260 participants. Event rates for death or unplanned hospitalisation were calculated using a Poisson model. Univariate and multivariable analyses identified baseline predictors, with a backward selection process for the best fitting model. Results: The mean age of COVID-19 participants was 54.9±12.1 years, and 41% were female. During median follow-up of 1028 days (IQR:1000,1085), 112 individuals (43.1%) had at least one event including 6 deaths (2.3%). There were 252 events in total. The first event rate was 18.9 per 100 person-years (95%CI: 15.7, 22.8). Multivariable predictors included healthcare worker status (HR 0.59, 95%CI: 0.34, 1.02, p=0.046), Charlson Comorbidity Index (HR 1.13, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.24, p=0.020), current smoking (HR 2.49, 95%CI: 1.21, 5.11, p=0.010), and haemoglobin (HR 0.93, 95%CI: 0.88, 0.99, p=0.020). The WHO Clinical Severity Score was not a significant predictor (p=0.187). Conclusion: Comorbidity, current smoking status and haemoglobin predict illness trajectory following hospitalisation for COVID-19, rather than illness severity during hospitalisation. Further research is needed to explore interventions targeting these factors to improve prognosis. Trial registration: CISCO-19; http://NCT04403607. Registration date; 23/05/2020},
journal = {BMC Infectious Disease},
publisher = {BioMed Central},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-12487-w},
}
