Differences in incidence, nature of symptoms, and duration of long COVID among hospitalised migrant and non-migrant patients in the Netherland: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background and aim Comprehensive data on long-COVID across ethnic and migrant groups are lacking. We investigated incidence, nature of symptoms, clinical predictors, and duration of long-COVID among COVID-19 hospitalised patients in the Netherlands by migration background. Methods We used COVID-19 admissions and follow up data (January 2021-July 2022) from Amsterdam University Medical Centers. We calculated long-COVID incidence proportions by migration background and assessed for clinical predictors via robust Poisson regressions. We then examined associations between migration background and long COVID using robust Poisson regressions and adjusted for derived clinical predictors, and other biologically relevant factors. Results 1886 patients were included. 483 patients had long-COVID (26%, 95% CI 24-28%) at 12 weeks post-discharge. Symptoms like dizziness, joint pain, and headache varied by migration background. Clinical predictors of long-COVID were female sex, hospital admission duration, intensive care unit admission, and receiving oxygen, or corticosteroid therapy. Long-COVID risk was higher among patients with migration background than Dutch origin patients after adjustments for derived clinical predictors, age, smoking, vaccination status, comorbidities and remdesivir treatment. Conclusions There are significant differences in occurrence, nature of symptoms, and duration of long-COVID by migration background. Studies assessing functional limitations and access to post-COVID healthcare are needed to help plan for appropriate and accessible healthcare interventions.