COVID-19 increases risk of mortality even beyond the acute phase

Medical News: As the world continues to grapple with the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a groundbreaking study has shed light on the heightened mortality risks faced by survivors of the disease. Research from institutions across Europe and beyond, including Mosaiques Diagnostics GmbH in Germany, the Medical University of Innsbruck in Austria, and Wroclaw Medical University in Poland, delves into the long-term consequences of surviving COVID-19. This Medical News report examines the study’s key findings and their implications for public health, particularly for individuals who have survived the acute phase of the illness. Importantly, the study highlights how the risk of mortality persists well beyond the initial infection, even for those who recover.


COVID-19 increases risk of mortality even beyond the acute phase

The study, conducted as part of the multinational CRIT-COV-U study, explored the association between urinary peptides and mortality risk in COVID-19 survivors. The researchers focused on a cohort of 651 patients who survived the acute phase of COVID-19, gathering data from six countries and tracking these individuals until December 2023. The study compared their mortality trends with age- and sex-matched COVID-19-negative controls. The results are eye-opening: 13.98% of the post-COVID-19 patients succumbed during the follow-up period, a figure significantly higher than that of the control group.
 
Understanding the Long-Term Mortality Risks
While the immediate risks associated with COVID-19 have been well-documented, the study’s findings provide crucial insights into the long-term dangers faced by survivors. This article aims to help readers understand that SARS-CoV-2 not only poses significant risks during the acute phase but also extends its impact well into the recovery period, potentially increasing mortality risk for up to a year after infection or even longer!
 
One of the most striking findings of the study is that younger individuals, particularly those under the age of 65, experienced a markedly higher risk of mortality during the follow-up period compared to COVID-19-negative individuals. In fact, the mortality rates were up to 4.7 times higher in these younger survivors. This counters the conventional understanding that COVID-19 primarily poses a severe threat to older adults. Younger survivors, too, must be cautious about their long-term health following recovery from the acute phase.
 
Key Study Findings: Urinary Peptides as Predictors of Mortality
One of the central components of the CRIT-COV-U study was the identification of 201 urinary peptides linked to increased mortality risk in post-acute COVID-19 survivors. Urinary peptides are small fragments of proteins that can provide critical insights into an individual's health. The researchers discovered that specific peptides related to proteins such as albumin, alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein, and apolipoprotein A-I were elevated in those who later died. Conversely, peptides related to the CD99 antigen, collagens, fibrinogen alpha, and uromodulin were decreased.
 
These peptides were used to develop a predicti ve classifier, known as DP201, which proved effective in identifying individuals at higher risk of mortality. Higher DP201 scores, along with other factors like age and body mass index (BMI), were found to be significant predictors of death. The ability to detect such biomarkers early on could be crucial for healthcare professionals, enabling them to identify high-risk patients and provide more personalized care.
 
The study’s findings emphasize the need for long-term monitoring of COVID-19 survivors, especially those who have been hospitalized. By utilizing urinary peptides as predictive biomarkers, doctors may be able to intervene earlier and potentially save lives by offering targeted treatments or preventive measures.
 
The Broader Implications for Public Health
The discovery that COVID-19 survivors face significantly elevated mortality risks even after the acute phase has profound implications for how healthcare systems manage recovery. As the world shifts its focus to "living with COVID-19," there remains a pressing need to address the lingering effects of the virus, often referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or long COVID.
 
While previous studies have focused on the immediate aftermath of infection, the CRIT-COV-U study goes further by analyzing long-term mortality trends. This shift in focus could reshape public health strategies, encouraging more sustained follow-up care for individuals recovering from COVID-19. Healthcare systems may need to develop specialized care plans for these patients, factoring in the risks highlighted by this research.
 
COVID-19’s Impact on Younger Individuals
A particularly alarming aspect of the study’s findings is the impact on younger COVID-19 survivors. While the general perception of the virus has focused on its dangers to the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, the data from this study show that younger individuals are not exempt from severe long-term consequences. The heightened mortality risk in those under 65 calls for greater awareness and vigilance, particularly among individuals who may consider themselves less vulnerable to the virus.
 
Moreover, this discovery challenges public health messaging, which has often downplayed the risks for younger, healthier individuals. These findings suggest that recovery from COVID-19 does not necessarily signal an end to its impact, and even younger survivors may need to be mindful of their long-term health.
 
Conclusion: A Call for Ongoing Vigilance
The CRIT-COV-U study presents a sobering reminder that the effects of COVID-19 extend far beyond the acute phase. With 13.98% of post-acute COVID-19 patients dying during the follow-up period, the study’s findings underscore the importance of ongoing medical monitoring for survivors. Younger individuals, in particular, face a heightened risk of mortality, a trend that defies earlier assumptions about the virus.
 
Healthcare professionals must continue to monitor survivors of COVID-19, with a focus on early detection of potential complications. The development of urinary peptide biomarkers provides a powerful tool for identifying those at risk, offering an opportunity for more personalized and targeted interventions. By integrating these biomarkers into clinical practice, healthcare systems can enhance their ability to predict and mitigate the long-term risks faced by COVID-19 survivors.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Biomedicines.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/9/2090
 
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