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Reuschke D, Houston D, Sissons P. Impacts of Long COVID on workers: A longitudinal study of employment exit, work hours and mental health in the UK. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306122. [PMID: 38924025 PMCID: PMC11207153 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had enormous implications for the world of work. However, there has been relatively little focus on the employment and workforce challenges of the virus in relation to workforce health, beyond the immediate management of the spread of the disease. There is an important gap in understanding the ongoing workforce issues created by the significant incidence of Long COVID in the population. AIM This paper examines the effects of Long COVID on employment and workers' mental health to contribute to understanding of work-limiting health conditions and to offer policy implications for COVID-19 and similar health conditions on employment and the workforce. METHODS A large national panel study for the UK is used to estimate the likelihood of exiting employment as well as on changes in working hours and general mental health and happiness of those who remain in work. The sample includes individuals 16 years and older who were in employment in January/February 2020 and followed during the pandemic 2020-2021. Long COVID is self-reported in the data. Informed by conceptual consideration of employment protection in the UK, two groups of individuals with Long COVID are defined based on the duration of symptoms. Group 1 has Long COVID 5-28 weeks after an infection with COVID-19, which is up to the maximum length of Statutory Sick Pay in the UK. Group 2 has symptoms for 29+ weeks, which is beyond the statutory entitlement to sickness pay. Panel regression models are fitted both with fixed-effects and random-effects. Individual and job characteristics are used as controls Those with no COVID-19 symptoms are the reference group. RESULTS In between-person comparison, Group 2 is at higher risk of exiting employment compared to those with no COVID-19 symptoms. Between-person estimates of mental health and well-being show negative effects of Long COVID for both groups but these are greatest in Group 2. Within-person estimates suggest that factors associated with earnings mediate the negative Long COVID effects on mental health in Group 1 and that Group 2 adapts to working with Long COVID. Group 1 is at risk of working zero hours (i.e. being on sick leave) but neither Group 1 nor Group 2 have a higher probability of working fewer hours compared to those with no COVID-19 symptoms. The negative impact of Long COVID on working hours stems primarily from working zero hours (sickness leave) rather than working fewer hours, suggesting a lack of accommodation by employers of Long COVID at work. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The extension of Statutory Sickness Pay and greater flexibility to manage partial (returns to) work would help preserve employment and mental health. Those with Long COVID for 12 months are likely to meet the definition of disability and so have a right to receive reasonable workplace adjustments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darja Reuschke
- Birmingham Business School, City-Region Economic Development Institute, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Donald Houston
- Birmingham Business School, City-Region Economic Development Institute, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Sissons
- Keele Business School, Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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Rathod N, Kumar S, Chavhan R, Acharya S, Rathod S. Navigating the Long Haul: A Comprehensive Review of Long-COVID Sequelae, Patient Impact, Pathogenesis, and Management. Cureus 2024; 16:e60176. [PMID: 38868283 PMCID: PMC11167581 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, presents a significant public health challenge with wide-ranging implications. This comprehensive review explores the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis, patient impact, management strategies, and long-term prognosis of COVID. Despite a varied symptomatology that spans multiple organ systems, including respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular systems, this condition is primarily associated with chronic inflammation and potential viral persistence. Prevalence varies, influenced by the initial infection severity, demographic factors, and pre-existing conditions. The review emphasizes the necessity for healthcare systems to adapt to the needs of long-COVID patients by developing standardized diagnostic criteria and personalized, multidisciplinary treatment approaches. Current research gaps and future directions are identified, highlighting the urgent need for further studies on pathophysiological mechanisms and effective therapeutic interventions. This review aims to inform healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers, enhancing patient care and guiding ongoing and future research initiatives. The continuing global focus and collaborative efforts offer hope for improved outcomes for those affected by long COVID, marking an essential step towards addressing this emergent condition comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Rathod
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Roma Chavhan
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Sourya Acharya
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Sagar Rathod
- Neurosurgery, Trivandrum Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, IND
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El-Toukhy S, Hegeman P, Zuckerman G, Anirban RD, Moses N, Troendle JF, Powell-Wiley TM. A prospective natural history study of post acute sequalae of COVID-19 using digital wearables: Study protocol. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3694818. [PMID: 38105936 PMCID: PMC10723530 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3694818/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is characterized by having 1 + persistent, recurrent, or emergent symptoms post the infection's acute phase. The duration and symptom manifestation of PASC remain understudied in nonhospitalized patients. Literature on PASC is primarily based on data from hospitalized patients where clinical indicators such as respiratory rate, heart rate, and oxygen saturation have been predictive of disease trajectories. Digital wearables allow for a continuous collection of such physiological parameters. This protocol outlines the design, aim, and procedures of a natural history study of PASC using digital wearables. Methods This is a single-arm, prospective, natural history study of a cohort of 550 patients, ages 18 to 65 years old, males or females who own a smartphone and/or a tablet that meets pre-determined Bluetooth version and operating system requirements, speak English, and provide documentation of a positive COVID-19 test issued by a healthcare professional or organization within 5 days before enrollment. The study aims to identify wearables collected physiological parameters that are associated with PASC in patients with a positive diagnosis. The primary endpoint is long COVID-19, defined as ≥ 1 symptom at 3 weeks beyond first symptom onset or positive diagnosis, whichever comes first. The secondary endpoint is chronic COVID-19, defined as ≥ 1 symptom at 12 weeks beyond first symptom onset or positive diagnosis. We hypothesize that physiological parameters collected via wearables are associated with self-reported PASC. Participants must be willing and able to consent to participate in the study and adhere to study procedures for six months. Discussion This is a fully decentralized study investigating PASC using wearable devices to collect physiological parameters and patient-reported outcomes. Given evidence on key demographics and risk profiles associated with PASC, the study will shed light on the duration and symptom manifestation of PASC in nonhospitalized patient subgroups and is an exemplar of use of wearables as population-level monitoring health tools for communicable diseases. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04927442.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Phillip Hegeman
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
| | | | | | - Nia Moses
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
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Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Torres-Macho J, Guijarro C, Martín-Guerrero JD, Pellicer-Valero OJ, Plaza-Manzano G. Trajectory of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Previously Hospitalized COVID-19 Survivors: The Long COVID Experience Multicenter Study. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051134. [PMID: 37243220 DOI: 10.3390/v15051134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This multicenter cohort study used Sankey plots and exponential bar plots to visualize the fluctuating evolution and the trajectory of gastrointestinal symptoms in previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors during the first 18 months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 1266 previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors were assessed at four points: hospital admission (T0), at 8.4 months (T1), at 13.2 months (T2), and at 18.3 months (T3) after hospitalization. Participants were asked about their overall gastrointestinal symptoms and particularly diarrhea. Clinical and hospitalization data were collected from hospital medical records. The prevalence of overall gastrointestinal post-COVID symptomatology was 6.3% (n = 80) at T1, 3.99% (n = 50) at T2 and 2.39% (n = 32) at T3. The prevalence of diarrhea decreased from 10.69% (n = 135) at hospital admission (T0), to 2.55% (n = 32) at T1, to 1.04% (n = 14) at T2, and to 0.64% (n = 8) at T3. The Sankey plots revealed that just 20 (1.59%) and 4 (0.32%) patients exhibited overall gastrointestinal post-COVID symptoms or diarrhea, respectively, throughout the whole follow-up period. The recovery fitted exponential curves revealed a decreasing prevalence trend, showing that diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms recover during the first two or three years after COVID-19 in previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors. The regression models did not reveal any symptoms to be associated with the presence of gastrointestinal post-COVID symptomatology or post-COVID diarrhea at hospital admission or at T1. The use of Sankey plots revealed the fluctuating evolution of gastrointestinal post-COVID symptoms during the first two years after infection. In addition, exponential bar plots revealed the decreased prevalence of gastrointestinal post-COVID symptomatology during the first three years after infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Fernández-de-Las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Torres-Macho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor-Virgen de la Torre, 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Guijarro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - José D Martín-Guerrero
- Intelligent Data Analysis Laboratory, Department of Electronic Engineering, ETSE (Engineering School), Universitat de València (UV), 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Oscar J Pellicer-Valero
- Image Processing Laboratory (IPL), Universitat de València, Parc Científic, Paterna, 46010 València, Spain
| | - Gustavo Plaza-Manzano
- Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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O'Brien KK, Brown DA, McDuff K, St Clair-Sullivan N, Solomon P, Chan Carusone S, McCorkell L, Wei H, Goulding S, O'Hara M, Thomson C, Roche N, Stokes R, Vera JH, Erlandson KM, Bergin C, Robinson L, Cheung AM, Torres B, Avery L, Bannan C, Harding R. Conceptualising the episodic nature of disability among adults living with Long COVID: a qualitative study. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:bmjgh-2022-011276. [PMID: 36863719 PMCID: PMC9979585 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-011276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Our aim was to describe episodic nature of disability among adults living with Long COVID. METHODS We conducted a community-engaged qualitative descriptive study involving online semistructured interviews and participant visual illustrations. We recruited participants via collaborator community organisations in Canada, Ireland, UK and USA.We recruited adults who self-identified as living with Long COVID with diversity in age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and duration since initial COVID infection between December 2021 and May 2022. We used a semistructured interview guide to explore experiences of disability living with Long COVID, specifically health-related challenges and how they were experienced over time. We asked participants to draw their health trajectory and conducted a group-based content analysis. RESULTS Among the 40 participants, the median age was 39 years (IQR: 32-49); majority were women (63%), white (73%), heterosexual (75%) and living with Long COVID for ≥1 year (83%). Participants described their disability experiences as episodic in nature, characterised by fluctuations in presence and severity of health-related challenges (disability) that may occur both within a day and over the long-term living with Long COVID. They described living with 'ups and downs', 'flare-ups' and 'peaks' followed by 'crashes', 'troughs' and 'valleys', likened to a 'yo-yo', 'rolling hills' and 'rollercoaster ride' with 'relapsing/remitting', 'waxing/waning', 'fluctuations' in health. Drawn illustrations demonstrated variety of trajectories across health dimensions, some more episodic than others. Uncertainty intersected with the episodic nature of disability, characterised as unpredictability of episodes, their length, severity and triggers, and process of long-term trajectory, which had implications on broader health. CONCLUSION Among this sample of adults living with Long COVID, experiences of disability were described as episodic, characterised by fluctuating health challenges, which may be unpredictable in nature. Results can help to better understand experiences of disability among adults living with Long COVID to inform healthcare and rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly K O'Brien
- Department of Physical Therapy, Termerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada .,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Long COVID Physio, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Darren A Brown
- Therapies Department, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Long COVID Physio, London, UK
| | - Kiera McDuff
- Department of Physical Therapy, Termerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natalie St Clair-Sullivan
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.,Royal Sussex Hospital, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Patricia Solomon
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Soo Chan Carusone
- McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa McCorkell
- Patient-Led Research Collaborative, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Hannah Wei
- Patient-Led Research Collaborative, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susie Goulding
- COVID Long-Haulers Support Group Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Jaime H Vera
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.,Royal Sussex Hospital, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Colm Bergin
- GUIDE Clinic, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Larry Robinson
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela M Cheung
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brittany Torres
- Department of Physical Therapy, Termerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Avery
- Biostatistics Department, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ciaran Bannan
- GUIDE Clinic, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard Harding
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
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