Work performance among healthcare workers with post COVID-19 syndrome and its relation to antibody response

Abstract

Purpose Health care workers (HCWs) are frontliners in facing Cornoravirus disease (COVID-19) and hence are amongst the high risk groups of acquiring COVID-19 infection. The impact of COVID-19 infection and post-infection sequelae on work performance has deleterious effects on HCWs and the whole community. The aim of the current study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection particularly those with post-COVID-19 syndrome on work performance among HCWs and to determine if a possible relationship with antibody response exists. Methods A sample of 69 previously PCR-positive health care workers matched to another group of 69 control PCR-negative health care workers from the same clinical departments were subjected to full medical history, clinical examination, measuring serum specific immunoglobulins against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), Health work performance questionnaire short form of absenteeism and presenteeism and Functional dysfunction grading questionnaire. Results The most frequently encountered symptom by patients with post-acute COVID-19 was fatigue while it was dyspnea for those who were chronic COVID patients. Patients with post-acute COVID-19 had a significantly longer time for PCR negative conversion and had a more severe disease. There was no association between post-acute COVID-19 and immunoglobulin positivity. COVID-19 syndrome had a negative impact on work performance manifested by lower relative presenteeism and lower month/year performance ratio (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). However comparing patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome to patients without the syndrome revealed no significant work performance difference between both groups. Conclusion COVID-19 syndrome negatively impacts work performance in HCWs manifested by lower relative presenteeism and lower month/year performance ratio. Although post-COVID-19 results resulted in higher levels of fatigue and functional limitation, it did not have a significant negative impact on work performance. Specific immunoglobulins against SARS CoV-2 were not associated with the post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Impact of Rehabilitation on Physical and Neuropsychological Health of Patients Who Acquired COVID-19 in the Workplace

“…Han et al [ 84 ] and Mazza et al [ 85 ] confirm the current finding that COVID-19 survivors continue to experience post-COVID symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, and anxiety, even after one year. D’Ettorre et al [ 10 ] showed an incidence between 16 and 87% for post-COVID in working-age patients, and up to 70% for healthcare workers [ 16 , 53 , 86 ]. The systematic review by Soril and colleagues [ 87 ] confirmed that psychological post-COVID symptoms (dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression) improved after several pulmonary rehabilitation programs.…”

“…Comparable prevalence rates were found up to six months after acute infection [ 17 , 50 , 51 ]. Among healthcare workers, depression and anxiety have a prevalence of 8–44% three to ten months after acute COVID-19 [ 15 , 52 , 53 ]. Results regarding the risk factors for higher rates of anxiety and depression are inconsistent.…”

Absenteeism of Healthcare Personnel in the COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Implications for the Post-Pandemic Seasons

“…Fourth, there was no standardized presentation of absenteeism data across studies; therefore, a meta-analysis was not considered feasible. Another possible limitation is that information about COVID-19 vaccination refusal, burnout, mental health illness, or post-COVID-19 syndrome as a cause of HCP absenteeism is not clearly mentioned in all reviewed studies, despite their increased prevalence among HCP during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the pre-pandemic period [60][61][62][63]. Lastly, the impact of school closures on healthcare workforce because of child-care obligations was not considered [64].…”

Impact of Long COVID on productivity and informal caregiving

“…healthcare workers, teachers) who contract the disease [8]. The substantial impact of LC on productivity has likewise been confirmed by numerous UK and non-UK studies of general or general working populations [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] and specific professions including healthcare workers, teachers, and athletes [29][30][31][32][33]. Productivity in employment not only increases national income, but is also a determinant of health and well-being [34,35].…”