Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in Hospitalized and Ambulatory Patients: A Comparative Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background/Objectives: COVID-19 may result in persistent symptoms, some of which can be disabling, referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC, or long COVID). The growing recognition of PASC as a public health challenge underscores the need for comprehensive studies of its course, risk factors, and clinical outcomes. This multicentric study aimed to compare the prevalence, symptom spectrum, and functional impact of PASC in two patient groups: those hospitalized with COVID-19 and those managed exclusively in ambulatory care. Methods: Molecular, clinical, and demographic data were obtained from 319 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in seven European countries. Patients were classified as PASC in accordance with the WHO definition. Results: PASC is more frequent and severe among hospitalized patients, while ambulatory patients present with milder but prolonged symptoms. Categorical age analysis suggests that older age was associated with a higher incidence of PASC, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary management and targeted support. Conclusions: Our findings highlight distinct differences in the presentation and impact of PASC across patient groups, with important implications for individualized care, multidisciplinary management, and effective healthcare planning in the post-pandemic era.
Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine
DOI: 10.3390/jcm15103681
Authors: Magdalena Król-Kulikowska, Marta Kepinska, Justyna Siwy, Felix Keller, Harald Mischak, Ralph Wendt, Emelie Sarenmalm, Åsa Nilsson, Björn Peters, Emmanuel Dudoignon, Fatima Zunara, Morgane Michel, Mercedes Salgueira, Goce Spasovski, Christian Scholz, Patryk Wawrzonkowski, Mirosław Banasik, UriCoV Working Group
Institutions: Wroclaw Medical University, Mosaiques Diagnostics and Therapeutics (Germany), Innsbruck Medical University, Universität Innsbruck, Klinikum St. Georg, Region Västra Götaland, Skaraborg Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Lariboisière, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Marqueurs cardiovasculaires en situation de stress, Evaluation et recherche en services et politiques en santé pour les populations vulnérables, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Universidad de Sevilla, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, KfH Kuratorium für Dialyse und Nierentransplantation, University Hospital Cologne
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Funders: Västra Götalandsregionen, Universidad de Sevilla, Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Austrian Science Fund, Universität Wien, Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, Göteborgs Universitet, Medizinische Universität Wien, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Piastów Slaskich we Wroclawiu, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach, Sorbonne Université, Narodowe Centrum Badań i Rozwoju, Sahlgrenska Akademin
OpenAlex ID: W7160849809