ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: After the acute period of infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19), multi-organ signs and symptoms may remain. This study tried to compare the perception of the state of health and the sequelae in Navarra-Osasunbidea health workers after COVID-19, with the previous situation through the Health Survey. METHODS: Through a descriptive cross-sectional study, using a reduced questionnaire from the 2017 National Health Survey sent to health workers from the Navarre-Osasunbidea Health Service COVID-19 cases after 3 and 6 months, from April to July 2021 and compared with 2017. Differences were described through means, percentages and prevalence ratio, with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of 938 surveys sent, 93 of 3 months (46.3%) and 305 of 6 months (41.4%) were received, 87% of women and 13% of men and 43 years of average age and 64.3% were from nursing and 19.1% from medicine. The percentage that assessed their health status as good or very good was significantly lower at 6 months than health workers and the general population in 2017 (70.2% vs 80.4% and 75.5%), the limitation for the habitual activity (39.8% and 35.1% vs 18.3%), headache 2.7 times more frequent, the days of activity restriction (41.5 and 26.7 vs 7.5) and on bed. Mental health problems, concentration (45.2% and 43.9%), loss of sleep (44.1% and 43.3%) and consumption of tranquilizers and antidepressants (2 and 3 times more) stood out, although not of medical consultations. CONCLUSIONS: Navarre health workers diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020 and early 2021 refer to the worst assessment of their health status at 3 and 6 months, greater limitation for usual activities, more frequent headaches and mental health problems, compared to the pre-pandemic period.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has generated a great burden on health systems, and healthcare workers have been the most affected. In Spain, the Health Ministry issued common protocols regarding the return-to-work of healthcare workers presenting a negative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test result and complete resolution of symptoms. Some autonomous communities decided to include a CT (Cycle Threshold) value criterion as well. The aim of this paper was to compare the time intervals required to obtain a negative PCR result by means of both criteria. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was performed from March to September of 2020, in the health areas of Navarra, La Rioja and Vigo (Galicia), managed by their own Occupational Risk Prevention Units. The PCR negativization time intervals were analyzed according to gender, age, professional category and the PCR repetition criteria used (clinical or defined by CT). Mean difference calculation by Student's t-test and Kaplan-Meier survival analyzes were conducted. RESULTS: The sample amounted to a total of 1,052 workers: 673 from Navarra, 335 from La Rioja and 44 from Vigo, with an average age of 46 years, and of which 81% were women, 35.48% nursing personnel and 23.65% physicians. No statistically significant differences were found between the PCR negativization time periods with any of the variables, except with the CT criterion, which presented a mean of 6.49 days (95% CI, 4.96-8.02), longer and displaying positively displaced survival curves. CONCLUSIONS: The CT criterion for carrying out the control PCR test lengthened the reincorporation of essential personnel in the fight against the pandemic.