The pandemic toll and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers at a Swiss University Hospital

Nehme, Mayssam; Vieux, Laure; Courvoisier, Delphine S.; Braillard, Olivia; Spechbach, Hervé; Jacquérioz, Frédérique; Salamun, Julien; Assal, Frédéric; Lador, Frédéric; Coen, Matteo; Agoritsas, Thomas; Reny, Jean‐Luc; Graf, Christophe; Benzakour, Lamyae; Favale, Riccardo; Soccal, Paola M.; Bondolfi, Guido; Tardin, Aglaé; Zekry, Dina; Stringhini, Silvia; Baggio, Stéphanie; Genevay, Stéphane; Lauper, Kim; Meyer, Philippe; Poku, Nana K.; Landis, Basile Nicolas; Grira, Marwène; Sandoval, José Luís; Ehrsam, Julien; Regard, Simon; Genecand, Camille; Kopp, Garance; Guerreiro, Ivan; Allali, Gilles; Vetter, Pauline; Kaiser, Laurent; Chappuis, François; Chenaud, Catherine; Guessous, Idris

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101899

Cited by 3 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…The prevalence of symptoms increased in healthcare workers compared to results shown previously 16 and to the general population 19 . In a previous study using the same source population, results showed fatigue in 25.5% of healthcare workers, headache in 10.0%, insomnia in 6.2%, cognitive impairment in 7.9%, stress and burnout in 7.1% of cases 16 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 43%

mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Compared to the general population, healthcare workers were shown to suffer from an increased prevalence of fatigue, headache, cognitive impairment, stress, burnout, insomnia, myalgia and arthralgia in SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative individuals 16 . Additionally, these symptoms were further increased in individuals suffering from post-COVID 12 , 16 . These concerning findings have been shown in transversal studies and related commentaries 12 – 14 , 16 – 18 , however longitudinal data showing the evolution and prolonged burden on healthcare workers are lacking so far.…”

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confidence: 98%

“…Additionally, these symptoms were further increased in individuals suffering from post-COVID 12 , 16 . These concerning findings have been shown in transversal studies and related commentaries 12 – 14 , 16 – 18 , however longitudinal data showing the evolution and prolonged burden on healthcare workers are lacking so far.…”

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confidence: 99%

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The longitudinal study of subjective wellbeing and absenteeism of healthcare workers considering post-COVID condition and the COVID-19 pandemic toll

Nehme

Vieux

Kaiser

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Experts have warned against the pandemic burden on healthcare workers early on, however little is known about the evolution of this burden with time, in addition to the long-term effects of post-COVID symptoms in healthcare workers. Staff at the Geneva University Hospitals in Switzerland had an online follow-up in July and December 2021, on their physical and mental health, quality of life and functional capacity using validated scales. Descriptive analyses compared the prevalence of symptoms, functional impairment and quality of life in SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative individuals at baseline and at follow-up. Out of the initial n = 3,083 participants that answered at baseline in July 2021, n = 900 (mean age of 46.4 years, 70.1% women) completed the follow-up in December 2021. With time, more individuals reported fatigue (+ 9.4%), headache (+ 9.0%), insomnia (+ 2.3%), cognitive impairment (+ 1.4%), stress/burnout (+ 8.8%), pain (+ 8.3%), digestive symptoms (+ 3.6%), dyspnea (+ 1.0%), and cough (+ 7.7%) compared to baseline, with a differentially larger increase in symptoms in the SARS-CoV-2 negative group. Individuals had more functional impairment (12.7% at baseline and 23.9% at follow-up), with more absenteeism and worsening quality of life. Healthcare workers are potentially suffering from long term consequences of the pandemic burden, calling for urgent action and solutions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 43%

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confidence: 98%

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confidence: 98%

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confidence: 99%

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The longitudinal study of subjective wellbeing and absenteeism of healthcare workers considering post-COVID condition and the COVID-19 pandemic toll

Nehme

Vieux

Kaiser

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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“…Overall, the proportions of healthcare workers experiencing long-term symptoms ranged from 23.1% at 6 months after infection [ 12 ] to 73% (in people with a positive nasopharyngeal swab; NPS; median 117 days since infection) [ 36 ]. The most common symptom was fatigue, [ 13 – 16 , 18 – 27 , 29 , 30 , 33 , 35 , 38 , 39 ] with proportions ranging from 4% at 8 months after COVID-19 infection [ 14 ] to 75% at 1 month after COVID-19 infection [ 21 ]. Headache reports [ 14 – 17 , 19 – 21 , 24 , 26 , 29 – 31 , 35 , 39 ] ranged from 0.5% at > 60 days since infection [ 20 ] to 42% at 1 month after infection [ 21 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is the impact of long-term COVID-19 on workers in healthcare settings? A rapid systematic review of current evidence

Cruickshank,

Brazzelli,

Manson

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Background Long COVID is a devastating, long-term, debilitating illness which disproportionately affects healthcare workers, due to the nature of their work. There is currently limited evidence specific to healthcare workers about the experience of living with Long COVID, or its prevalence, pattern of recovery or impact on healthcare. Objective Our objective was to assess the effects of Long COVID among healthcare workers and its impact on health status, working lives, personal circumstances, and use of health service resources. Methods We conducted a systematic rapid review according to current methodological standards and reported it in adherence to the PRISMA 2020 and ENTREQ statements. Results We searched relevant electronic databases and identified 3770 articles of which two studies providing qualitative evidence and 28 survey studies providing quantitative evidence were eligible. Thematic analysis of the two qualitative studies identified five themes: uncertainty about symptoms, difficulty accessing services, importance of being listened to and supported, patient versus professional identity and suggestions to improve communication and services for people with Long COVID. Common long-term symptoms in the survey studies included fatigue, headache, loss of taste and/or smell, breathlessness, dyspnoea, difficulty concentrating, depression and anxiety. Conclusion Healthcare workers struggled with their dual identity (patient/doctor) and felt dismissed or not taken seriously by their doctors. Our findings are in line with those in the literature showing that there are barriers to healthcare professionals accessing healthcare and highlighting the challenges of receiving care due to their professional role. A more representative approach in Long COVID research is needed to reflect the diverse nature of healthcare staff and their occupations. This rapid review was conducted using robust methods with the codicil that the pace of research into Long COVID may mean relevant evidence was not identified.

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Burden of post–acute COVID-19 sequelae in healthcare workers and its course over a 30-month period–results from a prospective multicentre cohort

Dörr,

Strahm,

Güsewell

et al. 2024

Infection

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Purpose As healthcare workers (HCW) have been disproportionally affected by COVID-19, its post-acute sequelae (PASC) in HCW can impact healthcare systems. We assessed the burden and course of PASC in HCW over a 30-month period. Methods In a prospective multicentre HCW cohort in Switzerland, PASC surveys were conducted in 03/2021, 09/2021, 06/2022, 04/2023, and 10/2023. Stratified by viral variant at first infection, the prevalence of PASC symptoms, self-experienced PASC and the Post-COVID Functional Status (PCFS) were analysed cross-sectionally in 10/2023, self-perceived success of therapeutic measures used was assessed. The evolution of PASC symptoms and PCFS in Wild-type and non-Wild-type infected HCW compared to uninfected controls was analysed longitudinally across all surveys. Results In cross-sectional analysis, 1704 HCW (median age 47 years, 82.2% female) were included. Thereof, 30.7% reported ≥ 1 PASC symptom in 10/2023, with 115 (6.7%) stating to have or have had PASC. Both were most common after Wild-type infection compared to other variants. Overall, 17/115 (15%) indicated relevant/severe restrictions in their daily activities and of 85 (74%) that tried ≥ 1 measure against their symptoms, 69 (81%) reported having benefitted. Longitudinal analysis (n = 653) showed a significantly higher proportion of Wild-type infected HCW to report PASC symptoms compared to controls in 03/2021 (+ 21%, 95% CI 4–39), with decreasing trend (+ 7%, 95%CI -10–25 in 10/2023). This effect was not evident for non-Wild-type infected HCW. Conclusions Over a 30 month period, overall PASC burden in our HCW cohort decreased, although 1% still experience relevant restrictions in their daily life; Wild-type infected individuals show the highest disease burden.

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The pandemic toll and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers at a Swiss University Hospital

Cited by 3 publications

References 20 publications

The longitudinal study of subjective wellbeing and absenteeism of healthcare workers considering post-COVID condition and the COVID-19 pandemic toll

The longitudinal study of subjective wellbeing and absenteeism of healthcare workers considering post-COVID condition and the COVID-19 pandemic toll

What is the impact of long-term COVID-19 on workers in healthcare settings? A rapid systematic review of current evidence

Burden of post–acute COVID-19 sequelae in healthcare workers and its course over a 30-month period–results from a prospective multicentre cohort

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