Factors influencing medium- and long-term occupational impact following COVID-19

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) 2024-02, Vol.74 (1), p.53-62
• Main Authors: O’Sullivan, O, Houston, A, Ladlow, P, Barker-Davies, R M, Chamley, R, Bennett, A N, Nicol, E D, Holdsworth, D A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; Fatigue - etiology; Humans; Mental Disorders; Mental Health
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqad041

Abstract Background Significant numbers of individuals struggle to return to work following acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The UK Military developed an integrated medical and occupational pathway (Defence COVID-19 Recovery Service, DCRS) to ensure safe return to work for those with initially severe disease or persistent COVID-19 sequalae. Medical deployment status (MDS) is used to determine ability to perform job role without restriction (‘fully deployable’, FD) or with limitations (‘medically downgraded’, MDG). Aims To identify which variables differ between those who are FD and MDG 6 months after acute COVID-19. Within the downgraded cohort, a secondary aim is to understand which early factors are associated with persistent downgrading at 12 and 18 months. Methods Individuals undergoing DCRS had comprehensive clinical assessment. Following this, their electronic medical records were reviewed and MDS extracted at 6, 12 and 18 months. Fifty-seven predictors taken from DCRS were analysed. Associations were sought between initial and prolonged MDG. Results Three hundred and twenty-five participants were screened, with 222 included in the initial analysis. Those who were initially downgraded were more likely to have post-acute shortness of breath (SoB), fatigue and exercise intolerance (objective and subjective), cognitive impairment and report mental health symptoms. The presence of fatigue and SoB, cognitive impairment and mental health symptoms was associated with MDG at 12 months, and the latter two, at 18 months. There were also modest associations between cardiopulmonary function and sustained downgrading. Conclusions Understanding the factors that are associated with initial and sustained inability to return to work allows individualized, targeted interventions to be utilized. The acute and lingering effects of COVID-19 can prevent full return to the workplace, with approximately 2.3 million people in the UK reporting ongoing symptoms and limitations as a result of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Delayed occupational return impacts on individuals, employers and society, and this study, using a working-age population, aims to identify the factors that are associated with initial and prolonged inability to return to full work duties.