“Post-COVID-19 syndrome:” The New Pandemic Affecting Healthcare Workers and How the Frontline Warriors Are Battling it

Rao, Shwethapriya; Amara, Vedaghosh; Chaudhuri, Souvik; Rao, Bhamini Krishna; Todur, Pratibha

doi:10.25259/ijpc_160_21

Cited by 12 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Tiredness or fatigue is one of the most frequently described long COVID symptoms in the literature [ 33 ]. PCS was reported more frequently in COVID-19 patients who were hospitalised than those not hospitalised.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis

Platten

Nienhaus

Peters

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Health workers (HW) are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In order to monitor the infection dynamic on the basis of contact with patients, HW at the St. Antonius Hospital (SAH) were tested four times in one year by PCR and serology. The cumulative incidence of infection in HW was calculated. Swab and blood tests were simultaneously performed between April 2020 and April 2021. Risk factors and demographic information were assessed at the beginning of the study. The response rate was above 75% in all rounds of testing. The study comprised 1506 HW, 165 (10.6%) of which tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Working in an ICU or on wards with patient contact were risk factors (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.73–13.6 and OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.27–8.49). At the end of the study, the majority of HW (810 of 1363 (59.4%)) had been vaccinated at least once. A total of 29.1% of unvaccinated HW and 5.3% of vaccinated HW showed an immune response typical for natural SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 73 HW who provided information on the course of the disease, 31.5% reported that their quality of life continued to be impaired. The cumulative incidence of infection was low in these HW, which may be attributed to vaccination and good hygiene. Nevertheless, a work-related infection risk was identified, highlighting the need to improve protection against infection. A high risk of developing long COVID was found after the infection has subsided. Special rehabilitation programs should be provided and HW should be compensated for reduced work capacity in the case that rehabilitation fails or takes a long time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, attention should be paid to the financial consequences of COVID-19 and PCS. As is pointed out by a working group from India, one-third of the HW are worried about the financial impact of PCS on them and their families [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis

Platten

Nienhaus

Peters

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…After COVID-19 infection, the return to work and to usual physical capability may not be so easy. In fact, the long COVID phenomenon is emerging, significantly increasing the interval between infection and the return to work [ 12 ] due to physical and psychological symptoms caused by the disease [ 13 , 14 ]. As the incidence of COVID-19 among HCWs is high, the impact of persistent disturbances after the acute illness can also have negative effects on the broader healthcare delivery system, resulting in a possible loss of skilled healthcare personnel due to post-COVID-19 disabilities [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Return to Work of Healthcare Workers after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Determinants of Physical and Mental Health

Grazzini

Lulli

Mucci

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Introduction. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has involved healthcare workers (HCWs) both as caregivers and as patients. This study is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the HCWs working in a third-level hospital in Central Italy who were infected with COVID-19 from March 2020 to April 2021. This research aims at identifying the physical and mental health outcomes of HCWs infected with COVID-19 who returned to work after the infection, the determinants of those outcomes, such as age and sex, and the identification of possible vulnerable professional groups. Methods. A questionnaire about the acute illness, the experience of returning to work, and health perceptions after the disease was administered to 427 healthcare workers 3 months after recovering from the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results. The majority interviewed (84.5%) reported symptoms at the time of the positive test, with no significant differences regarding age or sex, while a significant difference in the mean age was found regarding hospitalization (p < 0.001). At 3 months after the infection, females (p = 0.001), older workers (p < 0.001), and healthcare assistants (p < 0.001) were more likely to report persistent symptoms. Sex (p = 0.02) and age (p = 0.006) influenced the quality of sleep after the infection. At work, the nurses group reported increase in workload (p = 0.03) and worse relationships (p = 0.028). At 3 months after the infection, female workers perceived worse physical (p = 0.002) and mental (p < 0.001) health status according to the SF-12. A negative correlation was found between age and PCS score (p < 0.001) but not MCS score (p = 0.86). A significant difference in PCS score was found between nurses and physicians (p = 0.04) and between residents and all other groups (p < 0.001). Finally, the group of workers reporting sleep alterations showed lower PCS and MCS scores (p < 0.001) and working relationships had an impact on MCS scores (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Age, sex, and type of job had an impact on physical and mental outcomes. Organizing specific interventions, also tailored to professional sub-groups, should be a target for healthcare systems to protect and boost the physical and mental health of their workers.

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“…Studies focused on HCWs showed similar results [ 25 – 27 ]. Reported incidence of post-COVID-19 syndrome reached 73% in a study including 2053 participants working in health care and social services in Germany.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

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

2022

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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.

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“Post-COVID-19 syndrome:” The New Pandemic Affecting Healthcare Workers and How the Frontline Warriors Are Battling it

Cited by 12 publications

References 27 publications

Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis

Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis

Return to Work of Healthcare Workers after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Determinants of Physical and Mental Health

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

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