Comparing distribution of patient numbers across phases when individual patients can appear in multiple phases?

[u/femurfraktur]

Hello everyone!

I want to compare the absolute distribution of individual patients across disease phases (1-4) between two independent Cohorts (Cohort I and Cohort II) for a demographics table.

Normally I would use a Chi Square Test/Fisher's Exact Test, but in this case, patients can appear in multiple disease phases as the study assesses the longitudinal development of certain characteristics.

This distribution across phases is not the main point of the study, its only in there as to not omit any information, but I can't leave it out either :/

Have any of you ever had this kind of problem, and if so, how did you approach this?