Association of Post–COVID-19 Condition Symptoms and Employment Status

Abstract

ImportanceLittle is known about the functional correlates of post–COVID-19 condition (PCC), also known as long COVID, particularly the relevance of neurocognitive symptoms.ObjectiveTo characterize prevalence of unemployment among individuals who did, or did not, develop PCC after acute infection.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis survey study used data from 8 waves of a 50-state US nonprobability internet population-based survey of respondents aged 18 to 69 years conducted between February 2021 and July 2022.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcomes were self-reported current employment status and the presence of PCC, defined as report of continued symptoms at least 2 months beyond initial month of symptoms confirmed by a positive COVID-19 test.ResultsThe cohort included 15 308 survey respondents with test-confirmed COVID-19 at least 2 months prior, of whom 2236 (14.6%) reported PCC symptoms, including 1027 of 2236 (45.9%) reporting either brain fog or impaired memory. The mean (SD) age was 38.8 (13.5) years; 9679 respondents (63.2%) identified as women and 10 720 (70.0%) were White. Overall, 1418 of 15 308 respondents (9.3%) reported being unemployed, including 276 of 2236 (12.3%) of those with PCC and 1142 of 13 071 (8.7%) of those without PCC; 8229 respondents (53.8%) worked full-time, including 1017 (45.5%) of those with PCC and 7212 (55.2%) without PCC. In survey-weighted regression models excluding retired respondents, the presence of PCC was associated with a lower likelihood of working full-time (odds ratio [OR], 0.71 [95% CI, 0.63-0.80]; adjusted OR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.74-0.96]) and with a higher likelihood of being unemployed (OR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.22-1.73]; adjusted OR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.02-1.48]). The presence of any cognitive symptom was associated with lower likelihood of working full time (OR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.56-0.88]; adjusted OR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.59-0.84]).Conclusions and RelevancePCC was associated with a greater likelihood of unemployment and lesser likelihood of working full time in adjusted models. The presence of cognitive symptoms was associated with diminished likelihood of working full time. These results underscore the importance of developing strategies to treat and manage PCC symptoms.

Post COVID-19 Condition, Work Ability and Occupational Changes: Results from a Population-based Cohort

“…Evidence on the impact of PCC on the occupational situation and work-related impairments due to PCC is limited and heterogenous (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). Prior studies have reported that between 11% and 50% of individuals do not return to work (2,14,26) and that 10% to 72% do not fully regain their work capacity 6 to 12 months after infection (7,23,26,27).…”

“…Few studies have evaluated the association of PCC with work-related functioning or subsequent occupational changes (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). Most focused on describing work absenteeism and found that 11%-50% of workers do not return to work several months after COVID-19 (2,14).…”

SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-acute risk of non-Covid-19 infectious disease hospitalizations: a nationwide cohort study of Danish adults aged ≥50 years

“…[6][7][8] Collectively, known as Post-Covid-19 condition or long Covid and shown to have significant impact on quality of life. [5][6][7][8][9] While our knowledge of the long-term health consequences of Covid-19 continues to advance, the full range of implications is not yet fully understood. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 infection may have a prolonged effect on both the innate and adaptive immune system.…”

Persistent endothelial dysfunction in post-COVID-19 syndrome and its associations with symptom severity and chronic inflammation

“…PCS can lead to a health-related decline in quality of life and interferes with daily life and activity [7,8]. Patients may develop comorbidities such as anxiety disorders, depression and cognitive symptoms, reducing the likelihood of employment and working full time [9,10], highlighting the socioeconomic impact of PCS.…”