• SARS-CoV-2 infection can result in long-term post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) affecting multiple organ systems. 

• While risks have been assessed for up to two years post-infection, data extending beyond this period are limited. 

• A recent study analyzed 135,161 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 and 5,206,835 controls from the US Department of Veterans Affairs over three years to evaluate risks of death and PASC. 

•  For non-hospitalized patients, the increased risk of death disappeared after the first year, and the PASC risk declined, resulting in 9.6 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 1,000 people in the third year.

• In contrast, hospitalized patients exhibited a significantly elevated risk of death in the third year, with an incidence rate ratio of 1.29. 

• Despite a decrease in PASC risk, a substantial residual risk persisted, amounting to 90.0 DALYs per 1,000 people. 

• The study concluded that these findings may not be generalizable to non-veterans due to differences in sociodemographic factors, underscoring the need for further research to validate the results. 

• The findings indicate that although risks decrease over time, significant mortality and health burdens remain for hospitalized individuals even three years after infection.

Click here to read more.