Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in Hospitalized and Ambulatory Patients: A Comparative Study
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.
Authors
- Marta Kepinská (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0935-5663)
- Mirosław Banasik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0588-1551)
- Åsa Nilsson
- G. Spasovski
- Patryk Wawrzonkowski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5471-2498)
- Harald Mischak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0323-0306)
- Björn Peters (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1199-8948)
- Felix Keller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8240-7255)
- Morgane Michel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6090-8211)
- Fatima Zunara
- Emmanuel Dudoignon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0429-4889)
- Emelie Sarenmalm
- Magdalena Król-Kulikowska (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2842-8255)
- Justyna Siwy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1407-2534)
- R Wendt
- Mercedes Salgueira
- Christian Scholz
- UriCoV Working Group
Institutions
- Innsbruck Medical University (AT)
- Inserm (FR)
- Universität Innsbruck (AT)
- Université Paris Cité (FR)
- Klinikum St. Georg (DE)
- Wroclaw Medical University (PL)
- Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena (ES)
- Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (FR)
- Evaluation et recherche en services et politiques en santé pour les populations vulnérables (FR)
- Hôpital Lariboisière (FR)
- Mosaiques Diagnostics and Therapeutics (Germany) (DE)
- Hôpital Robert-Debré (FR)
- KfH Kuratorium für Dialyse und Nierentransplantation (DE)
- Skaraborg Hospital (SE)
- University Hospital Cologne (DE)
- Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (MK)
- Universidad de Sevilla (ES)
- University of Gothenburg (SE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Published
- 2026-05-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15103681
- Primary Topic
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
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