Post-COVID Symptoms in Occupational Cohorts: Effects on Health and Work Ability

Magnavita, Nicola; Arnesano, Gabriele; Prinzio, Reparata Rosa Di; Gasbarri, Martina; Meraglia, Igor; Merella, Marco; Vacca, Maria Eugenia

doi:10.3390/ijerph20095638

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(67 reference statements)

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“…The results align with previous findings, confirming the significant psychosocial burden of PCS on patients' quality of life [18][19][20][21] . GP's observations of symptoms are broadly consistent with the current literature [22][23][24][25] .…”

Section: Comparison With the Existing Literaturesupporting

confidence: 83%

A Qualitative Interview Study of General Practitioners’ Experiences of Managing Post-COVID-19 Syndrome

Schulze,

Lind,

Rojas

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: The management of the long-term sequelae of COVID-19 infection, known as post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), continues to challenge the medical community, largely due to a significant gap in the understanding of its aetiology, diagnosis and effective treatment. Aim: To examine general practitioners′ (GPs) experiences of caring for patients with PCS and to identify unmet care needs and opportunities for improvement. Design and setting: This study follows a qualitative design, using in-depth semi-structured telephone interviews with GPs (N=31) from across Germany. Method: Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Patients with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection often consult their GPs as the first point of contact, with symptoms typically resolving within weeks. While ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 is perceived to be more common, the relevance of PCS to GP practices is considerable given its severe impact on patients′ functioning, social participation, and the substantial time required for patient care. GPs coordinate diagnosis and treatment, but face difficulties because of the unclear definition of PCS and difficulties in attributing symptoms, resulting in a cautious approach to ICD-10 coding. Interviewees highlight lengthy diagnostic pathways and barriers to accessing specialist care. Conclusion: The findings confirm the high functional limitations and psychosocial burden of PCS on patients and the central role of GPs in their care. The study suggests a need for further research and health policy measures to support GPs in navigating diagnostic uncertainty, interprofessional communication and the limited evidence on effective treatments Keywords: Primary Health Care, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, COVID-19, Pandemics, Qualitative Research How this fits in: Post-COVID-19 syndrome has garnered attention in research and healthcare, but limited evidence on its causes and effective treatment challenges clinicians. This study illustrates the symptom-driven approaches to diagnosis and treatment adopted by general practitioners and their concerns about referring patients to specialist clinics. Greater collaboration and communication across sectors and disciplines is needed to meet the identified need for interprofessional care. Research should also focus on developing comprehensive differential diagnostic protocols, and health policy should address barriers to accessing specific outpatient services.

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Section: Comparison With the Existing Literaturesupporting

confidence: 83%

A Qualitative Interview Study of General Practitioners’ Experiences of Managing Post-COVID-19 Syndrome

Schulze,

Lind,

Rojas

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Returning to work is possible if daily activities are manageable and 500 m can be walked symptom-free. Work intensity should be discussed with the employer and other restrictions may apply, e.g., avoiding night shifts ( Magnavita et al, 2023 ). Moreover, physicians should discuss with their patients if their cognitive impairment may be a safety issue for professional or leisure activities, particularly for driving or operating machinery.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although PCS can develop in patients of all ages, the highest percentage of diagnoses is observed in patients between 36 and 50 years of age, which could impact on work productivity through an increased absence from work (absenteeism) ( Davis et al, 2023 ). A 2021 retrospective cross-sectional study with 1,378 employees undergoing their annual medical check-up in Italy found that PCS was associated with reduced ability to work ( Magnavita et al, 2023 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of cognitive impairment associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome: recommendations for primary care

Zifko,

Guendling,

Seet

et al. 2024

Front. Pharmacol.

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Introduction: Although post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) with cognitive impairment is increasingly encountered in primary care, evidence-based recommendations for its appropriate management are lacking.Methods: A systematic literature search evaluating the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive impairment associated with PCS was conducted. Practical recommendations for the management of PCS-associated cognitive impairment in primary care are summarized, based on an evaluation of pharmacological plausibility and clinical applications.Results: Currently, the pathology of cognitive impairment associated with PCS remains unclear with no high-quality data to support targeted interventions. Existing treatment approaches are directed towards symptom relief where counseling on the chronicity of the disease and regular reassessments at 4- to 8-week intervals is considered reasonable. Patients should be informed and encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle that centers around balanced nutrition and appropriate physical activities. They may also benefit from the intake of vitamins, micronutrients, and probiotics. The administration of Ginkgo biloba extract could offer a safe and potentially beneficial treatment option. Other non-pharmacological measures include physiotherapy, digitally supported cognitive training, and, if indicated, ergotherapy or speech therapy. In most patients, symptoms improve within 8 weeks. If serious, ambiguous, or when new symptoms occur, specialized diagnostic measures such as comprehensive neurocognitive testing or neuroimaging should be initiated. Very few patients would require inpatient rehabilitation.Conclusion: PCS with cognitive impairment is a debilitating condition that could affect daily functioning and reduce work productivity. Management in primary care should adopt a multidisciplinary approach, centering around physical, cognitive, and pharmacological therapies.

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“…Respecto a grupo profesional, se observaba una mayor afectación de COVID Persistente en los trabajadores asistenciales (en primera línea de actuación sanitaria, más expuestos a la infección por Sars-CoV-2 en este período), versus los no asistenciales. La sintomatología de COVID Persistente más prevalente fue: afectación del sueño, pérdida de memoria, dificultades de concentración, cambios en el estado de ánimo, artralgias, fatiga y cefalea, observados en otros estudios de COVID Persistente (30)(31)(32)(33).…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Study of Persistent Covid Cases in Health Workers

García Grau,

InglésTorruella,

Gil Soto

et al. 2024

Enferm. investig.

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Introducción: La enfermedad de COVID-19 presenta una afectación aguda que puede prolongarse de forma mantenida más allá de las 12 semanas desde el inicio de la clínica inicial, denominándose COVID Persistente (Post COVID, Long COVID).Objetivo: Valorar la incidencia de COVID Persistente que han presentado las trabajadoras/es del Hospital Sant Joan de Reus y de Atención Primaria de Reus-Baix Camp (EDPSSJRBC), durante el periodo de marzo 2020 a noviembre 2022, clínica predominante y afectación laboral. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo de los trabajadores/as en activo en septiembre 2022, que tras el COVID-19 desarrollaron COVID Persistente durante 2020 a 2022. Se aplicaron instrumentos tipos encuesta a los trabajadores con COVID-19 con sintomatología de COVID Persistente y posterior evaluación presencial mediante cuestionarios, exámenes de salud y pruebas complementarias. Valoración final de capacidad laboral frente al COVID Persistente en el contexto de la Vigilancia de la Salud del Servicio de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales. Resultados: El perfil del trabajador/a afectado de COVID Persistente en el actual estudio se caracteriza por: sexo femenino, mayor de 40 años, perfil laboral asistencial, con sintomatología predominante de trastorno del sueño, de memoria, dificultad de concentración, cambios del estado de ánimo, artralgias, fatiga y cefalea. Presentaban resultados anormales en los tests: Escala Funcional Post COVID-19, Índice de Gravedad del Insomnio y Test de Evaluación Cognitiva Montreal. Conclusiones: Afectación clínica de COVID Persistente de los trabajadores de la actual investigación, mejoraron con el paso del tiempo y tras los tratamientos de rehabilitación cognitiva en Unidad de Deterioro Cognitivo y realización de ejercicio físico regular pautado por Unidad de Medicina del Deporte. La afectación por el COVID Persistente no impidió el desarrollo de su actividad laboral

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Post-COVID Symptoms in Occupational Cohorts: Effects on Health and Work Ability

Cited by 13 publications

References 63 publications

A Qualitative Interview Study of General Practitioners’ Experiences of Managing Post-COVID-19 Syndrome

A Qualitative Interview Study of General Practitioners’ Experiences of Managing Post-COVID-19 Syndrome

Management of cognitive impairment associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome: recommendations for primary care

Study of Persistent Covid Cases in Health Workers

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