Post-Acute COVID-19 Sequelae in a Working Population at One Year Follow-Up: A Wide Range of Impacts from an Italian Sample

Abstract

Long COVID-19 is a term used to describe the symptomatic sequelae that develop after suffering from COVID-19. Very few studies have investigated the impact of COVID-19 sequelae on employment status. The aim of this research was to characterise sequelae of COVID-19 in a population of workers who tested positive for COVID-19, with a follow-up within one year of the acute illness, and to analyse the possible association between this and changes in the workers’ occupational status. In this retrospective cohort study, a questionnaire was administered to 155 workers; descriptive, univariate (chi-square tests), and multivariate (logistic regression model) analyses were carried out. The mean age was 46.48 years (SD ± 7.302); 76 participants were males (49.7%), and 33 participants reported being current smokers (21.3%). Overall, 19.0% of patients reported not feeling fully recovered at follow-up, and 13.7% reported a change in their job status after COVID-19. A change in occupational status was associated with being a smoker (OR 4.106, CI [1.406–11.990], p = 0.010); hospital stay was associated with age > 46 years in a statistically significant way (p = 0.025) and with not feeling fully recovered at follow-up (p = 0.003). A persistent worsening in anxiety was more common in women (p = 0.028). This study identifies smoking as a risk factor for workers not able to resume their job; furthermore, occupational physicians should monitor mental health more closely after COVID-19, particularly in female workers.

How do long COVID patients perceive their current life situation and occupational perspective? Results of a qualitative interview study in Germany

“…As a result, feelings of aimlessness, lack of perspective, insecurity, and uselessness became apparent. Similarly to our study, several participants from another sample also reported a change in their occupational status due to persistent health impairments after a COVID-19 infection ( 16 ). The umbrella review by Nittas et al ( 9 ) cites various studies in which a substantial proportion of respondents with long COVID were unable to work for at least 8 weeks.…”

“…Several interviewees from our sample stated that, as a result of the inability to work or other occupational limitations, the social environment became smaller or the number of face-to-face interactions decreased. Social consequences such as isolation or stigmatization due to a long absence from work are also reported by other studies which suggested to facilitate access to state vocational and retirement counseling and to provide support through social services or rehabilitation institutions (6,7,16).…”

“…Currently, there is no known effective and approved cure ( 7 , 15 ). Previous research has highlighted reduced quality of life, prolonged absence at work, and other unfavorable impacts on working life among persons with long COVID ( 9 , 16 , 17 ). This research applies a qualitative approach to gain a deeper understanding of how people with long COVID perceive the impact of their physical and cognitive symptoms on key aspects of their daily lives such as domestic activities, personal interests, and their occupational situation.…”

Coping with burnout and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers’ mental health: A systematic review

“…COVID-19 has had an impact on occupational health both directly and indirectly. The direct impact was having to manage the contagion risk in the workplace and returning to work post COVID-19 ( 4 ), as well as the emerging problems related to long COVID-19 syndrome that are currently still being evaluated ( 5 ). The indirect effect of COVID-19 on the workplace has been on the organizational measures adopted to reduce its impact, remote working being the primary solution for many companies to reduce contagion risk; remote working has been itself an important source of psychological distress for workers worldwide ( 6 ).…”

Low impact of regular PCR testing on presence at work site during the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences during an open observational study in Lower Saxony 2020-21

“…Gibbs et al documented with a study on 112 desk workers that working from home was often associated with non-work sedentary resulting in declining physical functionality and worsened sleep quality [ 9 ]. Buonsenso et al showed that a significant percentage of previously infected subjects reported not feeling fully recovered at follow-up or a change in their job status highlighting the requirement for successful prevention campaigns and assessment of post-acute COVID-19 sequelae [ 10 ].…”