Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) has emerged as a major public health concern. We aimed to estimate the 1-year incidence of PCC in adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Lombardy, Italy, comparing community-managed and hospitalised patients and to assess the prognostic value of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) score to support estimation of long-term PCC prevalence.
Retrospective-prospective observational cohort study enrolling patients infected between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2022. The study visit was conducted between 16 January and 23 December 2024.
Multicentre study involving seven public hospitals and general practitioners across Lombardy.
Randomly sampled adults aged 18–70 years with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hospitalised patients (HP) were admitted for COVID-19; general practitioner patients (GPP) were managed in the community. The total sample comprised: 1162 (546 HP, 616 GPP).
This is an observational study with no active intervention.
Primary outcome: 1-year incidence of PCC retrospectively assessed at the study visit.
Secondary outcomes: symptom profiles, long-term PCC prevalence at the study visit and predictive value of the NIH RECOVER score.
Median age was 57.1 years in HP and 42.9 years in GPP; 66.1% of HP and 47.7% of GPP were male. PCC developed in 280 patients (223 HP, 57 GPP). The 1-year cumulative incidence was 39.9% in HP (95% CI 35.9% to 44.1%) and 9.1% in GPP (95% CI 7.1% to 11.7%). The NIH RECOVER score was associated with PCC at 1 year (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.21). Model-based long-term PCC prevalence was 31.8% in HP and 6.3% in GPP.
PCC remained frequent and heterogeneous, particularly among previously HP. In this cohort, the NIH RECOVER score showed prognostic value for estimating longer-term PCC burden. These findings underscore the need for structured long-term follow-up across both hospital and primary care settings.
To identify patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes care, describe their characteristics, and explore their association with glycated haemoglobin.
In chronic conditions, patient self-care and caregiver contribution should be considered a dyadic phenomenon. However, patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes care have not yet been identified.
Multicentre observational cross-sectional study.
Patient self-care and caregiver contribution were assessed using the Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory and the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory. Patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes care were identified by latent class analysis. Associations between patient-caregiver characteristics and class membership were estimated using multinomial regression. The association between classes and glycated haemoglobin levels was assessed using linear regression.
251 dyads of patients with type 2 diabetes and their primary informal caregivers were enrolled. Patients were mostly male (55%, median age 72) and caregivers mostly female (71%, median age 64). Three patterns of dyadic engagement were identified: ‘equally engaged-low care’ (14%), ‘mostly patient engaged-middling care’ (25%), and ‘equally engaged-high care’ (61%). Patient characteristics (sex, education, self-efficacy) and caregiver characteristics (burden, chronic diseases) were associated with pattern membership. Membership in the ‘mostly patient engaged-middling care’ and ‘equally engaged-high care’ patterns was associated with decreased glycated haemoglobin compared to ‘equally engaged-low care’.
The three identified patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes showed differences in patient and caregiver characteristics and were associated with glycated haemoglobin.
The study identified and described patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes care. The three identified patterns showed differences in characteristics and in patient glycemic control. Healthcare professionals should consider these patterns for tailoring interventions focused on both dyad members.
STROBE checklist was followed.
Patients and their informal caregivers were recruited to participate in the study.