The impact of vaccination status on post-acute sequelae in hospitalized COVID-19 survivors using a multi-disciplinary approach: An observational single center study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background COVID-19 vaccines reduced mortality, hospitalizations and ICUs admissions. Conversely, the impact of vaccination on Long COVID-19 syndrome is still unclear. This study compared the prevalence of post-acute sequelae at short and long-term follow-up among hospitalized unvaccinated and vaccinated COVID-19 survivors through a multidisciplinary approach. Methods After 2 months from discharge, unvaccinated and vaccinated COVID-19 survivors underwent a follow-up visit at a dedicated "post-COVID-19 Outpatient Clinic". The follow-up visit included a cardiovascular evaluation, blood tests, chest computed tomography, 6-min walking test (6MWT), spirometry. A one-year telephone follow-up was performed to assess re-hospitalizations, death and long-lasting symptoms. An additional 1:1 case-control matching analysis adjusted for baseline characteristics was performed. Results Between June 2020 and June 2022, a total of 458 unvaccinated and vaccinated patients (229 per group) underwent the follow-up visit. Vaccinated patients had lower rates of ICU admissions (1.7 % vs 9.6 %, p=<0.001) and severe respiratory complications requiring intubation (1.3 % vs 7 %, p = 0.002) or non-invasive ventilation such as high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (1.7 % vs 7.9 %, p = 0.02), CPAP (1.3 % vs 20.1 %, p= < 0.001), and low-flow oxygen therapy (3.5 % vs 63.3 %, p=<0.001) compared to unvaccinated ones. At 2-month follow-up, vaccinated patients had fewer persistent ground-glass opacities (2.6 % vs 52.8 %, p=<0.001) or consolidations (0.9 % vs 8.3 %, p=<0.001). Additionally, unvaccinated patients experienced more frequent myocarditis (4.8 % vs 0.9 %, p = 0.013) and pulmonary embolism (1.8 % vs 0 %, p = 0.042) and exhibited more significant respiratory impairment as evidenced by desaturation during the 6MWT(10.2 % vs 3.5 %, p = 0.005) and altered spirometry (14 % vs 8.7 %, p = 0.043) compared to vaccinated ones. At one-year, unvaccinated patients reported more symptoms such as dyspnea (20.5 % vs 10 %, p = 0.002), psychological symptoms (10 % vs 3.5 %, p = 0.005) and chronic rhinosinusitis/cough (6,6 % vs 2,6 %, p = 0.04) as compared to vaccinated ones. The 1:1 case-control matching analysis also confirmed these results. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccines improve short-term outcomes and may reduce Long COVID-19 prevalence.
Source: Heliyon
Authors: Lucia Ilaria Birtolo, Gianluca Di Pietro, Antonella Ciuffreda, Riccardo Improta, Sara Monosilio, Silvia Prosperi, Sara Cimino, Nicola Galea, Paolo Severino, Gioacchino Galardo, Maria Chiara Colaiacomo, Patrizia Pasculli, Angelo Petroianni, Paolo Palange, Claudio Maria Mastroianni, Laura de Vito, Carlo Catalano, Francesco Pugliese, Maria Rosa Ciardi, Paola Celli, Roberto Badagliacca, Francesco Fedele, Carmine Dario Vizza, Viviana Maestrini, Massimo Mancone, Agnes Gianluca, Albante Alida, Alfarano Maria, Araimo Morselli Fabio, Auricchio Daniela, Barletta Giovanna, Bilotta Federico, Brisciani Matteo, Bruno Katia, Bucarelli Maria Clelia, Cappannoli Alessandro, Ceccarelli Giancarlo, Celli Paola, Consolo Stella, Consoli Giulia, Croce Claudia, Crocitti Beatrice, D'Antoni Letizia, De Lazzaro Francesco, De Lauri Daniela, De Persis Francesca, De Rose Maria, Del Bianco Andrea, Di Bella Valerio, Di Sano Laura, Di Santo Carmela, Filomena Domenico, Giannetti Lorena, Giordano Giovanni, Ianni Stefano, Imperiale Carmela, Magnanimi Eugenia, Manganelli Chiara, Maldarelli Federica, Manzi Giovanna, Marcon Serena, Mariani Marco Valerio, Martelli Sabina, Messina Teresa, Neccia Matteo, Novelli Martina, Papa Silvia, Pasqualitto Fabiola, Pattelli Elisa, Pecorari Filippo, Perrella Serena, Passarelli Ilaria, Piazzolla Mario, Piro Agostino, Portieri Monica, Ratini Fabiola, Ricci Claudia, Romano Hilde, Sabani Anna, Santopietro Pietro, Tanzilli Alessandra, Tellan Guglielmo, Titi Luca, Tocci Marco, Tordiglione Paolo, Tosi Antonella, Trigilia Fausto, Verduci Noemi, Vaccaro Paola
Institutions: Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,100
OpenAlex ID: W4404397612