tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
PLoS One
. 2024 Jul 29;19(7):e0300947.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300947. eCollection 2024. The association between prolonged SARS-CoV-2 symptoms and work outcomes
Arjun K Venkatesh[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Huihui Yu[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Caitlin Malicki[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Michael Gottlieb[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Joann G Elmore[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Mandy J Hill[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Ahamed H Idris[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Juan Carlos C Montoy[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Kelli N O'Laughlin[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Kristin L Rising[SUP] 9 10 [/SUP], Kari A Stephens[SUP] 11 12 [/SUP], Erica S Spatz[SUP] 13 14 [/SUP], Robert A Weinstein[SUP] 15 16 [/SUP]; INSPIRE Group
Affiliations
While the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the United States labor market are well-established, less is known about the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and Long COVID on employment. To address this gap, we analyzed self-reported data from a prospective, national cohort study to estimate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms at three months post-infection on missed workdays and return to work. The analysis included 2,939 adults in the Innovative Support for Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Registry (INSPIRE) study who tested positive for their initial SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of enrollment, were employed before the pandemic, and completed a baseline and three-month electronic survey. At three months post-infection, 40.8% of participants reported at least one SARS-CoV-2 symptom and 9.6% of participants reported five or more SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. When asked about missed work due to their SARS-CoV-2 infection at three months, 7.2% of participants reported missing ≥10 workdays and 13.9% of participants reported not returning to work since their infection. At three months, participants with ≥5 symptoms had a higher adjusted odds ratio of missing ≥10 workdays (2.96, 95% CI 1.81-4.83) and not returning to work (2.44, 95% CI 1.58-3.76) compared to those with no symptoms. Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 symptoms were common, affecting 4-in-10 participants at three-months post-infection, and were associated with increased odds of work loss, most pronounced among adults with ≥5 symptoms at three months. Despite the end of the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 and efforts to "return to normal", policymakers must consider the clinical and economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on people's employment status and work absenteeism, particularly as data characterizing the numerous health and well-being impacts of Long COVID continue to emerge. Improved understanding of risk factors for lost work time may guide efforts to support people in returning to work.
. 2024 Jul 29;19(7):e0300947.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300947. eCollection 2024. The association between prolonged SARS-CoV-2 symptoms and work outcomes
Arjun K Venkatesh[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Huihui Yu[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Caitlin Malicki[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Michael Gottlieb[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Joann G Elmore[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Mandy J Hill[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Ahamed H Idris[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Juan Carlos C Montoy[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Kelli N O'Laughlin[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Kristin L Rising[SUP] 9 10 [/SUP], Kari A Stephens[SUP] 11 12 [/SUP], Erica S Spatz[SUP] 13 14 [/SUP], Robert A Weinstein[SUP] 15 16 [/SUP]; INSPIRE Group
Affiliations
- PMID: 39074096
- DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300947
While the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the United States labor market are well-established, less is known about the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and Long COVID on employment. To address this gap, we analyzed self-reported data from a prospective, national cohort study to estimate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms at three months post-infection on missed workdays and return to work. The analysis included 2,939 adults in the Innovative Support for Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Registry (INSPIRE) study who tested positive for their initial SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of enrollment, were employed before the pandemic, and completed a baseline and three-month electronic survey. At three months post-infection, 40.8% of participants reported at least one SARS-CoV-2 symptom and 9.6% of participants reported five or more SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. When asked about missed work due to their SARS-CoV-2 infection at three months, 7.2% of participants reported missing ≥10 workdays and 13.9% of participants reported not returning to work since their infection. At three months, participants with ≥5 symptoms had a higher adjusted odds ratio of missing ≥10 workdays (2.96, 95% CI 1.81-4.83) and not returning to work (2.44, 95% CI 1.58-3.76) compared to those with no symptoms. Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 symptoms were common, affecting 4-in-10 participants at three-months post-infection, and were associated with increased odds of work loss, most pronounced among adults with ≥5 symptoms at three months. Despite the end of the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 and efforts to "return to normal", policymakers must consider the clinical and economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on people's employment status and work absenteeism, particularly as data characterizing the numerous health and well-being impacts of Long COVID continue to emerge. Improved understanding of risk factors for lost work time may guide efforts to support people in returning to work.