Occupational differences in the prevalence and severity of long-COVID: analysis of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey.
Occup Environ Med
; 80(10): 545-552, 2023 10.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37770179
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To establish whether prevalence and severity of long-COVID symptoms vary by industry and occupation.METHODS:
We used Office for National Statistics COVID-19 Infection Survey (CIS) data (February 2021-April 2022) of working-age participants (16-65 years). Exposures were industry, occupation and major Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) group. Outcomes were self-reported (1) long-COVID symptoms and (2) reduced function due to long-COVID. Binary (outcome 1) and ordered (outcome 2) logistic regression were used to estimate odds ratios (OR)and prevalence (marginal means).RESULTS:
Public facing industries, including teaching and education, social care, healthcare, civil service, retail and transport industries and occupations, had the highest likelihood of long-COVID. By major SOC group, those in caring, leisure and other services (OR 1.44, 95% CIs 1.38 to 1.52) had substantially elevated odds than average. For almost all exposures, the pattern of ORs for long-COVID symptoms followed SARS-CoV-2 infections, except for professional occupations (eg, some healthcare, education, scientific occupations) (infection OR<1 ; long-COVID OR>1). The probability of reporting long-COVID for industry ranged from 7.7% (financial services) to 11.6% (teaching and education); whereas the prevalence of reduced function by 'a lot' ranged from 17.1% (arts, entertainment and recreation) to 22%-23% (teaching and education and armed forces) and to 27% (not working).CONCLUSIONS:
The risk and prevalence of long-COVID differs across industries and occupations. Generally, it appears that likelihood of developing long-COVID symptoms follows likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection, except for professional occupations. These findings highlight sectors and occupations where further research is needed to understand the occupational factors resulting in long-COVID.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Prevalence_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Humans
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Occup Environ Med
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
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SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido