NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • NIHR Oxford BRC impact
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Stay in Touch
    • Contact Us
  • Research

        • Research Overview
        • Clinical Research Facility
        • Health Economics
        • Ethics in the NIHR Oxford BRC
        • Medical Statistics
        • Infections in Oxfordshire Database (IORD)
        • 15 Research Themes

        • Cancer
        • Cardiovascular Medicine
        • Digital Health from Hospital to Home
        • Gene and Cell Therapy
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Imaging
        • Inflammation across Tissues
        • Life-saving Vaccines
        • Metabolic Experimental Medicine
        • Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Preventive Neurology
        • Respiratory Medicine
        • Surgical Innovation, Technology and Evaluation
        • Translational Data Science
  • Patient and Public Involvement
    • For patients and the public
    • For researchers
    • More information
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Pre-doctoral Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • PARC Programme
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • Events
    • Further Information and Additional Resources
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > COVID-19 > Oxford study shows high level of readmissions and death after COVID-19 discharge

Oxford study shows high level of readmissions and death after COVID-19 discharge

22 February 2021 · Listed under COVID-19, Translational Data Science

Some 30% of patients discharged after being admitted to hospital with community-acquired COVID-19 had been readmitted or died within 60 days, a study by Oxford researchers has shown.

In a paper published in the European Journal of Public Health, they found that, as anticipated, rates of readmission or death were higher among older adults. However, rates were twice as high among women than men, in contrast with studies of in-hospital mortality and morbidity for COVID-19, which have tended to find that men had higher rates of admission to critical care or death than women.

The study, which looked at electronic patient data from Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust as part of the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Health Informatics Collaborative, was carried out by researchers from the University of Oxford and OUH, with support from the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

The study’s lead author, Dr Nazrul Islam, of the University of Oxford’s Big Data Institute and Nuffield Department of Population Health, said: “We believe this is the first study to describe clinically meaningful variations by demographic factors in longer-term outcomes among patients admitted with community-acquired COVID-19 in the UK.

“Previous studies have focused mainly on survival during hospitalisation and data on patients discharged following hospitalisation for COVID-19 have been scarce.” Dr Islam is now leading a World Health Organisation study looking at COVID-19 mortality demographics worldwide.

Senior author Dr Ben Lacey said: “One of the main findings from the first wave in the UK was that men are more likely to have severe outcomes, including ventilation and death. It is only now, however, that we are getting a clear picture of the effects among survivors from COVID-19 hospitalisations. It’s important to recognise that just because people are surviving their first admission, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the story.”

National studies have now been initiated to understand the high rates of readmission or death following COVID-19 discharge in the UK, and to assess what can be done to prevent the adverse long-term effects of COVID-19.

Another author on the paper, Prof Jim Davies of the Big Data Institute and the NIHR Oxford BRC’s Co-theme Lead for Clinical Informatics, said: “This study is another example of how Oxford is utilising the rich supply of NHS data at its disposal and increasing our understanding of the pandemic, identifying important trends and allowing us to develop strategies to tackle them.”

← Oxford-led technology to help those at high risk from Covid-19
Oxford study reveals public attitudes to vaccine roll-out programmes →

Other news

News Categories

News by Month

See all news

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at [email protected]

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre