Characterizing Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection across Claims and Electronic Health Record Databases

Structured AbstractO_ST_ABSImportanceC_ST_ABSPost-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) is emerging as a major public health issue. ObjectiveWe characterized the incidence of PASC, or related symptoms and diagnoses, for COVID-19 and influenza patients. DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingOur data sources were the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters (CCAE), Optum Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) databases that were transformed to the Observational Medical Outcome Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM) and were part of the Observational Health Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) network. ParticipantsThe COVID-19 cohort consisted of patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 or positive lab test of SARS-CoV-2 after January 1st 2020 with a follow up period of at least 30 days. The influenza cohort consisted of patients with a diagnosis of influenza between October 1, 2018 and May 1, 2019 with a follow up period of at least 30 days. InterventionInfection with COVID-19 or influenza. Main Outcomes and MeasuresPost-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or related diagnoses, for COVID-19 and influenza patients. ResultsIn aggregate, we characterized the post-acute experience for over 440,000 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 or tested positive for SARS-COV-2. The long term sequelae that had a higher incidence in the COVID-19 compared to Influenza cohorts were altered smell or taste, myocarditis, acute kidney injury, dyspnea and alopecia. Additionally, the long term incidences of respiratory illness, musculoskeletal disease, and psychiatric disorders for the COVID-19 population were higher than expected. Conclusions and RelevanceThe long term sequelae of COVID-19 and influenza may be different. Further characterization of PASC on large scale observational healthcare databases is warranted.