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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Long-COVID Syndrome | Research

The cost of primary care consultations associated with long COVID in non-hospitalised adults: a retrospective cohort study using UK primary care data

Authors: Jake Tufts, Naijie Guan, Dawit T Zemedikun, Anuradhaa Subramanian, Krishna Gokhale, Puja Myles, Tim Williams, Tom Marshall, Melanie Calvert, Karen Matthews, Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar, Louise J Jackson, Shamil Haroon

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

The economic impact of managing long COVID in primary care is unknown. We estimated the costs of primary care consultations associated with long COVID and explored the relationship between risk factors and costs.

Methods

Data were obtained on non-hospitalised adults from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum primary care database. We used propensity score matching with an incremental cost method to estimate additional primary care consultation costs associated with long COVID (12 weeks after COVID-19) at an individual and UK national level. We applied multivariable regression models to estimate the association between risk factors and consultations costs beyond 12 weeks from acute COVID-19.

Results

Based on an analysis of 472,173 patients with COVID-19 and 472,173 unexposed individuals, the annual incremental cost of primary care consultations associated with long COVID was £2.44 per patient and £23,382,452 at the national level. Among patients with COVID-19, a long COVID diagnosis and reporting of longer-term symptoms were associated with a 43% and 44% increase in primary care consultation costs respectively, compared to patients without long COVID symptoms. Older age, female sex, obesity, being from a white ethnic group, comorbidities and prior consultation frequency were all associated with increased primary care consultation costs.

Conclusions

The costs of primary care consultations associated with long COVID in non-hospitalised adults are substantial. Costs are significantly higher among those diagnosed with long COVID, those with long COVID symptoms, older adults, females, and those with obesity and comorbidities.

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Title: The cost of primary care consultations associated with long COVID in non-hospitalised adults: a retrospective cohort study using UK primary care data
Authors: Jake Tufts
Naijie Guan
Dawit T Zemedikun
Anuradhaa Subramanian
Krishna Gokhale
Puja Myles
Tim Williams
Tom Marshall
Melanie Calvert
Karen Matthews
Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar
Louise J Jackson
Shamil Haroon
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Long-COVID Syndrome
COVID-19
Published in: BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-02196-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The cost of primary care consultations associated with long COVID in non-hospitalised adults: a retrospective cohort study using UK primary care data

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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