Post-COVID-19 condition patients' utilisation of healthcare resources after implementation of an integrated care unit

Abstract

Background: The economic effects of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) remain uncertain despite clearer clinical factors, posing challenges for healthcare professionals. This article investigates the demographic and clinical characteristics of PCC patients and compares their healthcare resource utilization in comparison to a patient cohort representative of the population. Methods: A retrospective and cohort-comparative observational study was conducted, comparing PCC population before and after diagnosis with a control group. Demographic and clinical variables were analysed to describe the population. Economic analysis was performed to evaluate the resource costs in procedures and primary, secondary and emergency care. Results: PCC patients (N=341) were older with higher cardiovascular risk factors compared to controls (N=49,078). There were differences in the socio-economic distribution between male and female in the PCC patients. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 were the most common chronic diseases observed among the case patients. PCC patients were four times as costly as control patients, with increased utilisation of healthcare resources. However, post-diagnosis PCC patients showed a reduction in costs, primarily driven by decreased primary care visits and hospitalisations. Conclusions: Coordinated care for PCC patients leads to cost reductions and improved resource utilisation. Further research should investigate long-term health outcomes and establish causal relationships between COVID-19 sequelae and healthcare resource utilisation.