Do the sequelae of COVID-19 vary according to the profiles of hospitalized patients?
The long-term consequences of a COVID-19 infection remain poorly understood and highly variable from person to person. Some continue to suffer from physical and psychological symptoms months after their initial recovery. A recent analysis of 601 former hospitalized patients in Italy reveals the existence of three distinct health profiles following the illness.
The first group, called “fit and dynamic,” includes nearly half of the participants. These individuals regain a good quality of life, restorative sleep, and stable mental health. In contrast, the “profoundly affected” profile concerns about one in seven patients. These individuals exhibit a marked deterioration in their physical and mental health, with intense fatigue, sleep disorders, anxiety, and persistent low energy. Between these two extremes, a third profile, “frail and weakened,” includes those who experience moderate difficulties, especially physically.
Contrary to expectations, the initial severity of the infection, such as admission to intensive care or pneumonia, does not appear to determine the severity of the sequelae. However, women, individuals suffering from other chronic diseases, and those whose general condition was already impaired upon hospital admission are more exposed to lasting complications. These findings highlight the importance of personalized follow-up, as nearly half of the patients retain disabling symptoms long after discharge.
This study underscores the need to better identify at-risk patients from the time of hospitalization. It also shows that the effects of COVID-19 are not limited to the acute phase but can profoundly disrupt daily life for years. Tailored care, combining medical and psychological support, becomes essential to help these individuals achieve full recovery.
Our References
Original Reference
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-026-04206-y
Title: Post-COVID-19 physical and mental quality of life: a latent profile analysis and predictive factors
Journal: Quality of Life Research
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: Marco Viola; Silvia Testa; Carlotta Sacerdote; Manolis Kogevinas; Eva Pagano; Rosalba Rosato