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Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction Are Associated with Occupational Status in Post-COVID Syndrome

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  • Cristina Delgado-Alonso

    (Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Constanza Cuevas

    (Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Silvia Oliver-Mas

    (Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • María Díez-Cirarda

    (Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Alfonso Delgado-Álvarez

    (Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • María José Gil-Moreno

    (Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Jorge Matías-Guiu

    (Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Jordi A. Matias-Guiu

    (Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is a medical condition characterized by the persistence of a wide range of symptoms after acute infection by SARS-CoV-2. The work capacity consequences of this disorder have scarcely been studied. We aimed to analyze the factors associated with occupational status in patients with PCS. This cross-sectional study involved 77 patients with PCS on active work before SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients were evaluated 20.71 ± 6.50 months after clinical onset. We conducted a survey on occupational activity and cognitive and clinical symptoms. The association between occupational activity and fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and cognitive testing was analyzed. Thirty-eight (49.4%) patients were working, and thirty-nine (50.6%) patients were not. Of those not working at the moment of the assessment, 36 (92.3%) patients were on sick leave. In 63 patients (81.8% of the sample), sick leave was needed at some point due to PCS. The mean duration of sick leave was 12.07 ± 8.07 months. According to the patient’s perspective, the most disabling symptoms were cognitive complaints (46.8%) and fatigue (31.2%). Not working at the moment of the assessment was associated with higher levels of fatigue and lower cognitive performance in the Stroop test. No association was found between occupational status with depression and anxiety questionnaires. Our study found an influence of PCS on work capacity. Fatigue and cognitive issues were the most frequent symptoms associated with loss of work capacity.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Delgado-Alonso & Constanza Cuevas & Silvia Oliver-Mas & María Díez-Cirarda & Alfonso Delgado-Álvarez & María José Gil-Moreno & Jorge Matías-Guiu & Jordi A. Matias-Guiu, 2022. "Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction Are Associated with Occupational Status in Post-COVID Syndrome," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-9, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13368-:d:944027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Claudia Peters & Madeleine Dulon & Claudia Westermann & Agnessa Kozak & Albert Nienhaus, 2022. "Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Workers in Health and Social Services in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicola Magnavita & Gabriele Arnesano & Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio & Martina Gasbarri & Igor Meraglia & Marco Merella & Maria Eugenia Vacca, 2023. "Post-COVID Symptoms in Occupational Cohorts: Effects on Health and Work Ability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Galindo, Arturo J. & Tovar, Jorge, 2024. "From the pandemic to the pitch. Unraveling COVID-19′s effect on workers' performance," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    3. Katrin Müller & Iris Poppele & Marcel Ottiger & Katharina Zwingmann & Ivo Berger & Andreas Thomas & Alois Wastlhuber & Franziska Ortwein & Anna-Lena Schultz & Anna Weghofer & Eva Wilhelm & Rainer-Chri, 2023. "Impact of Rehabilitation on Physical and Neuropsychological Health of Patients Who Acquired COVID-19 in the Workplace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-21, January.
    4. Galindo, Arturo & Tovar, Jorge, 2024. "From the Pandemic to the Pitch. Unraveling COVID-19's Effect on Workers' Performance," Documentos CEDE 21007, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.

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