# One‐Year Quality of Life Among Survivors of Hospitalization for Omicron Infection in Brazil: A Multicentre Prospective Cohort Study

## TL;DR

This study examines the long-term quality of life and mortality of Omicron survivors in Brazil, finding that older age and comorbidities are linked to worse outcomes.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the long-term health impacts of Omicron in a low- and middle-income country setting.

## Key findings

- One year after hospitalization, Omicron survivors in Brazil showed impaired health-related quality of life.
- Older age, comorbidities, and need for oxygen therapy were associated with worse outcomes.
- Survival rate was 86.6% among participants followed for 12 months.

## Abstract

The lingering effects of COVID‐19 may impair survivors' long‐term health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). However, multicentre studies focusing on the Omicron variant, particularly in middle‐ and low‐income settings, are scarce. We conducted a prospective cohort study across 24 Brazilian hospitals between December 2021 and March 2024, when Omicron was the predominant variant. Adult COVID‐19 survivors were followed for 12 months via telephone interviews. The primary outcome was HRQoL at 12 months, assessed using the EuroQol five‐dimension three‐level questionnaire (EQ‐5D‐3L; range −0.17 to 1.0). All‐cause mortality was a secondary outcome. Among 649 participants (47.9% women; median age 71 years), the median EQ‐5D‐3L utility score at 12 months was 0.69 (IQR 0.41–0.80), and survival was 86.6%. Factors associated with lower HRQoL included female sex, age ≥ 60 years, Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 1, and need for respiratory support. Mortality was associated with age ≥ 60 years (HR 2.81), CCI ≥ 2 (HR 2.17), need for low‐flow oxygen therapy (HR 2.03), and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (HR 0.58). One year after hospitalization, Omicron survivors in Brazil showed impaired HRQoL and high mortality. Older age, comorbidities, and need for oxygen therapy were linked to worse outcomes. Long‐term support strategies are needed for these vulnerable populations.

The study was registered in the ClinicalTrials. gov database (ID: NCT05165979, registered on December 12, 2021).