6-Month Follow Up of 8679 Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Germany: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Guenster, C.; Busse, R.; Spoden, M.; Rombey, T.; Schillinger, G.; Hoffmann, W.; Weber-Carstens, S.; Schuppert, A.; Karagiannidis, C.

Background: Data on long-term outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are scarce. Objective: To provide a detailed account of hospitalized COVID-19 patients until 180 days after their initial hospitalization. Design: Nationwide cohort study using claims data from the German Local Health Care Funds, the health insurer of one-third of the German population. Setting: Germany. Patients: Adult patients hospitalized in Germany between Feb 1 and April 30, 2020 with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 and a related principal diagnosis. Measurements: Patient characteristics and ventilation status, in-hospital, 30-, 90- and 180-day mortality measured from admission, and 180-day readmission measured from discharge. Multivariable logistic regression model of independent risk factors for 180-day mortality. Results: Of 8679 patients (median age, 72 years), 2161 (24.9%) died during the index hospitalization. 30-day mortality was 23.9% (2073/8679), 90-day mortality 27.9% (2425/8679), and 180-day mortality 29.6% (2566/8679). The latter was 52.3% (1472/2817) for patients aged [≥] 80 years, and 53.0% for patients who had been ventilated invasively (853/1608). Risk factors for 180-day mortality included coagulopathy, BMI [≥] 40, and age. Female sex was a protective factor. Of 6235 patients discharged alive, 1668 patients were readmitted a total of 2551 times within 180 days, resulting in an overall readmission rate of 26.8%. Limitations: We could not stratify patients by ICU treatment as it is not coded separately. Furthermore, we cannot exclude residual confounding in our analysis of risk factors nor determine causality between risk factors and long-term mortality given the observational nature of this study. Conclusion: This nationwide cohort study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Germany found considerable long-term mortality and readmission rates, especially among patients with coagulopathy. Close follow-up after hospital discharge may improve long-term outcome.