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.