Elevance Health Public Policy Institute’s study on Long COVID published in JAMA Health Forum Study

Rhea-AI Summary

Elevance Health released a study indicating that individuals experiencing long COVID face significantly higher risks for various adverse cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, as well as increased mortality rates compared to those without COVID-19.

The study, the largest of its kind involving 13,435 long COVID patients, highlights that:

• 2.35 times more likely to experience cardiac arrhythmias
• 3.64 times more likely to face pulmonary embolism
• 2.8% mortality rate in long COVID patients versus 1.2% in non-COVID patients

This highlights a need for better care management programs to address these risks.

Positive

• The study provides critical insights into the long-term health impacts of long COVID, potentially influencing future care management and health policy.

Negative

• The study reveals that long COVID contributes to increased mortality rates (2.8% vs. 1.2%) and serious health issues, which might lead to higher healthcare costs and impact insurance claims.

Study Found Long COVID Associated With Increased Risk for Adverse Cardiovascular, Pulmonary Conditions and Mortality

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Individuals who experience long COVID are at increased risk for a wide range of adverse cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions and mortality, according to a new study published in JAMA Health Forum. The study, led by researchers at the Elevance Health Public Policy Institute, found substantially higher mortality rates for individuals with long COVID than what had been found in previous studies.

For the study -- the largest national study of commercially insured individuals with long COVID that includes 12 months of follow up -- researchers examined utilization claims data for 13,435 US adults with long COVID and 26,870 US adults with no signs of COVID-19 for at least 18 months. After controlling for risk factors present pre-COVID-19, the researchers found that individuals diagnosed with long COVID, known in the medical literature as post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), were more likely to seek care for the following adverse outcomes:

• Cardiovascular events: The group with long COVID was 2.35 times more likely to experience cardiac arrhythmias, 2.17 times more likely to experience ischemic stroke, 1.97 times more likely to experience heart failure, and 1.78 times more likely to experience coronary artery disease than the group without long COVID.
• Pulmonary events: The group with long COVID was 3.64 times more likely to experience pulmonary embolism, 1.95 times more likely to experience moderate or severe asthma, and 1.94 times more likely to experience chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Mortality: During follow-up period, the group with long COVID experienced increased mortality, with 2.8% of individuals with long COVID dying versus 1.2% of those without long COVID.

The researchers note that while risks were heightened for individuals who experienced a more severe episode of COVID-19 (i.e., requiring hospitalization), most individuals (72.5%) in the group with long COVID did not experience hospitalization during the acute phase of COVID. They add that many of the resulting conditions could have lasting effects on quality of life.

In addition, researchers emphasize that, compared with previous research efforts, this study revealed substantially higher mortality rates for individuals following COVID. They attribute this finding to the ability to evaluate data – including full mortality information – comprehensively across all care settings.

“We know from published literature that long COVID can result in fatigue, headache and attention disorder,” said Andrea DeVries, PhD, Staff Vice President for Health Services Research at Elevance Health and the lead author of the study. “While those conditions are concerning, the results from this study point to even more worrisome outcomes that can severely impact quality and length of life for individuals with long COVID.”

“While we have made impressive strides in our ability to prevent and treat COVID-19, this study points to the need for care management programs like those developed by Elevance Health to better identify and help individuals at high risk for long COVID,” said Jennifer Kowalski, Vice President of the Elevance Health Public Policy Institute. “From a policy perspective, these results can inform understanding of future health care utilization, labor force participation and analysis of public program spending and outcomes.”

About Elevance Health, Inc.

Elevance Health is a lifetime, trusted health partner fueled by its purpose to improve the health of humanity. The company supports consumers, families, and communities across the entire care journey – connecting them to the care, support, and resources they need to lead healthier lives. Elevance Health’s companies serve more than 119 million people through a diverse portfolio of industry-leading medical, digital, pharmacy, behavioral, clinical, and complex care solutions. For more information, please visit www.elevancehealth.com or follow us @ElevanceHealth on Twitter and Elevance Health on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230303005295/en/

Media Contact:

Eric Lail

eric.lail@elevancehealth.com

Source: Elevance Health, Inc.

FAQ

What did the Elevance Health study on long COVID reveal about mortality rates?

The study found that individuals with long COVID had a 2.8% mortality rate, significantly higher than the 1.2% mortality rate observed in those without long COVID.

How much more likely are long COVID patients to experience cardiovascular events?

Long COVID patients are 2.35 times more likely to experience cardiac arrhythmias and 2.17 times more likely to have ischemic strokes compared to individuals without COVID.

What are some pulmonary conditions linked to long COVID according to the study?

The study found that long COVID patients are 3.64 times more likely to experience pulmonary embolism and 1.94 times more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

What is the significance of the Elevance Health long COVID study for healthcare?

The study emphasizes the need for improved care management programs to better identify and assist individuals at high risk for long COVID-related health issues.