Background The impact of Covid-19 and its long-term consequences is not yet fully understood. Sick leave can be seen as an indicator of health in a working age population, and the present study aimed to investigate sick-leave patterns after Covid-19, and potential factors predicting longer sick leave in hospitalised and non-hospitalised people with Covid-19. Methods The present study is a comprehensive national registry-based study in Sweden with a 4-month follow-up. All people who started to receive sickness benefits for Covid-19 during March 1 to August 31, 2020, were included. Predictors of sick leave ≥1 month and long Covid (≥12 weeks) were analysed with logistic regression in the total population and in separate models depending on inpatient care due to Covid-19. Results A total of 11,955 people started sick leave for Covid-19 within the inclusion period. The median sick leave was 35 days, 13.3% were on sick leave for long Covid, and 9.0% remained on sick leave for the whole follow-up period. There were 2960 people who received inpatient care due to Covid-19, which was the strongest predictor of longer sick leave. Sick leave the year prior to Covid-19 and older age also predicted longer sick leave. No clear pattern of socioeconomic factors was noted. Conclusions A substantial number of people are on sick leave due to Covid-19. Sick leave may be protracted, and sick leave for long Covid is quite common. The severity of Covid-19 (needing inpatient care), prior sick leave, and age all seem to predict the likelihood of longer sick leave. However, no socioeconomic factor could clearly predict longer sick leave, indicating the complexity of this condition. The group needing long sick leave after Covid-19 seems to be heterogeneous, indicating a knowledge gap.

ObjectivesStroke is one of the most common and resource intensive diseases for society. Stroke in the working age population is increasing in different parts of the world. An incomplete return to work (RTW) after sick leave post stroke entails negative consequences for the affected person and an economical burden for society. The aim of this study was to explore the RTW rate and factors associated with RTW in a six-year follow up post stroke.MethodsData from 174 persons 63 years or younger, with first ever stroke in 2009–2010 in Gothenburg were analyzed. Baseline characteristics were collected through medical records and the Swedish Health Insurance Office provided information on sick leave up to 6 years post stroke. Time-to-event was presented and cox regression as well as logistic regression were used to analyze risk factors for no-RTW.ResultsThe RTW rate was 74.7%, at the end of follow up. Participants continued to RTW until just over 3 years post stroke. Dependency at discharge (in the modified Rankin Scale) and sick leave prior to the stroke were significant risk factors for no-RTW after 1 year with odds ratio 4.595 and 3.585, respectively. The same factors were significant in time-to-event within six years post stroke with hazard ratio 2.651 and 1.929, respectively.ConclusionsRTW after a stroke is incomplete, however RTW is possible over a longer period of time than previously thought. More severe disability at discharge from hospital and sick leave prior to the stroke were shown to be risk factors for no-RTW. This knowledge can contribute to more individualized vocational rehabilitation.

Background: Stroke is one of the most common cause of disability worldwide. Pain is common in both stroke survivors and in the general population. Consequences of post-stroke pain (PSP) include reduced quality of life and are important to consider. The aim of the current study was to explore the experience of pain 5 years after stroke, and factors associated with the experience of pain. Methods: Inclusion criteria were: First ever stroke, treated at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden, during an 18 months period in 2009-2010, aged 18 years or older. Furthermore, the participants had to respond to a set of questionnaires 5 years post-stroke. Baseline data were collected from medical records and follow-up data from the set of questionnaires. The primary outcome was based on the question Do you experience pain? Predictors and explanatory factors for experiencing more frequent pain were analysed with logistic regression. Results: A total of 281 participants were included. Almost 40% experienced pain to some degree 5 years poststroke (15% reported pain frequently), and 25% felt that their needs for pain treatment were not met. The participants experiencing more frequent pain reported poorer quality of life, self-perceived health status and recovery post-stroke. Functional dependency at discharge from hospital, experiencing depression at follow up and restricted mobility at follow up were all associated with more frequent pain. Conclusion: Pain is common 5 years post-stroke and the treatment is not perceived as optimal. The persons experiencing more frequent pain seem to rate their health and recovery worse than the persons experiencing less frequent pain. Most of the factors associated with more frequent pain were treatable and this emphasize the importance of standardised follow-up care that takes pain into consideration.

ObjectivesA substantial proportion of individuals with stroke are of working age. After stroke, it is important to return to work (RTW), both for the individual's satisfaction with life and economically for society. The current comprehensive, long‐term study aimed at investigating in what time period the RTW continues after stroke and what factors could predict RTW.Materials and methodsAll individuals registered in the registry Riksstroke with stroke in Sweden at ages 18‐58 years during 2011 were eligible for participation. RTW was based on sickness absence data from the Social Insurance Agency covering 1 year prestroke to 5 years post‐stroke. Time to RTW was analyzed with Kaplan‐Meier curves. Potential predictors of RTW were analyzed with Cox regression and logistic regression.ResultsFor RTW analyses, 1695 participants were included. Almost 50% RTW within 3 months, 70% within 1 year, and 80% within 2 years post‐stroke. However, the RTW continued for several years, with a total of 85% RTW. Predictors of favorable time to RTW were male sex, ischemic stroke, and long university education compared with primary school education. Predictors of unfavorable times to RTW were higher stroke severity, defined by the level of consciousness, and older ages. Participants with self‐expectations of RTW 1 year post‐stroke had higher odds of RTW within 5 years.ConclusionsThe RTW continues for a longer time after stroke than previously known. Both self‐expectations and demographical, socioeconomic, stroke‐related factors were important predictors of RTW. This knowledge could assist healthcare professionals to individualize the rehabilitation post‐stroke.

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability world wide. Persons with stroke experience many types of con sequences. This study investigated the selfperceived consequences of stroke at 1 and 5 years poststroke. Forty-five people participated in face-to-face interviews at 1 year and responded to surveys via regular mail after 5 years. The results show that the perceived impact of stroke becomes more severe with time, even for per sons with mildtomoderate stroke. We conclude that persons with stroke are in need of continuous support. Objective: To investigate different aspects of selfperceived impact of stroke 1 and 5 years after stroke onset, with a focus on self-perceived participation. Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Participants: Forty-five persons diagnosed with firsttime stroke included in the Stroke Arm Longitudinal study at University of Gothenburg (SALGOT). Methods: Participants responded to the Stroke Impact Scale, the Impact on Participation and Autonomy and the European Quality of Life 5 dimensions at 1 year and 5 years post-stroke. Wilcoxon signedrank test was used to check for differences in changes over time between groups. Results: In general, the perceived consequences of stroke were more severe after 5 years compared with at 1 year. Strength, emotion and participation were the areas most affected, along with restrictions in social life and autonomy indoors. Global disability (mRS) was moderately correlated with quality of life. Conclusion: The perceived impact of stroke becomes more prominent with time, even for persons with mild-to-moderate stroke. This study highlights the need for long-term support for persons with stroke.

Objectives Disability due to stroke imposes a large burden on individuals, and on society, in terms of impaired work ability and sick leave. The reported return to work (RTW) rate after stroke varies globally and is influenced by a range of different aspects. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of work‐related factors on time to RTW after stroke, and possible differences between the sexes. Materials & Methods Data from 204 persons with first‐time stroke in the years 2009‐2010 in Gothenburg, Sweden, who were of working age and had worked prior to their stroke, were analysed. Disease‐related characteristics were retrieved from medical records, and work‐related‐ and socio‐economic data were collected up to 6 years post‐stroke from Statistics Sweden and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Cox regression was used to analyse predictors for time to RTW. Results We identified qualified occupation and large organizational size as work‐related predictors for shorter time to RTW after stroke. Being male predicted a faster and higher frequency of RTW. Qualified occupation predicted shorter time to RTW in men but not in women. For women, the only predictor for RTW was physical dependency at discharge. Conclusion Type of work and organizational size are work‐related factors of importance for RTW after stroke. Work‐related factors were important for RTW in men, but not in women. Reasons for differences between men and women in work‐related factors that influence RTW need to be further investigated to better understand how to support women in the RTW process.

Background Sick-leave due to COVID-19 vary in length and might lead to re-current episodes. The aim was to investigate recurrent sick leave due to COVID-19 during the first wave. Methods This is a registry-based cohort study. The study comprises all people with sickness benefit due to COVID-19 in Sweden in March 1–August 31, 2020. Data from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, and Statistics Sweden were merged. Results Within the follow-up period of 4 months, 11,955 people were subject to sickness benefit due to COVID-19, whereof 242 people (2.0%) took recurrent sick leave due to COVID-19, and of those 136 (56.2%) remained on sick leave at the end of follow-up. People with recurrent sick leave were older, more often women, and more likely to have been on sick leave prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion A group of people presented with recurrent sick leave due to COVID-19. For half of them, the second sick leave lasted throughout the follow-up. People with recurrent sick leave differ in several aspects from those with shorter sick leave. To capture long-term sick-leave patterns due to COVID-19, a longer period of follow-up is needed.

Background: Level of dependency after a stroke is important for long-term outcome in several aspects, but less is known about important predictors for outcome depending on functional dependency. The aim of the current study was to investigate self-perceived outcome and identify possible predictors of strength, participation, and emotional outcome 5 years after stroke based on functional dependency at discharge from hospital. Methods: This observational cohort study included participants living in Gothenburg that were diagnosed with first ever stroke in 2009 and 2010. Baseline data were gathered from medical charts and the outcome was based on the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) questionnaire mailed out 5 years post-stroke. Logistic regression identified potential predictors of better strength, participation, and emotional outcome. Results: A total of 266 participants responded to the SIS. The functionally independent participants at hospital discharge reported significantly better scores in all SIS domains compared to the functionally dependent. For those who were functionally independent, only non-modifiable factors (age, sex, stroke type) were significant predictors of a better outcome. However, for the functionally dependent participants, modifiable factors such as feeling depressed, cardiovascular risk factors, and recurrent stroke were significant predictors of unfavourable outcome. Conclusions: Important factors for predicting a favourable outcome differed due to the level of functional dependency, and modifiable factors were only present in participants that were functionally dependent at discharge. Prevention, detection, and treatment of modifiable factors give an opportunity to reduce the burden of stroke for those who are most vulnerable.