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Occupational differences in the prevalence and severity of long-COVID: Analysis of the ONS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey (preprint)
medrxiv; 2023.
Preprint in English | medRxiv | ID: ppzbmed-10.1101.2023.03.24.23287666
ABSTRACT

Objectives:

To establish whether prevalence and severity of long-COVID symptoms vary by industry and occupation.

Methods:

We utilised ONS Coronavirus Infection Survey (CIS) data (February 2021-April 2022) of working-age participants (16-65 years). Exposures were industrial sector, 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) for all exposures.

Results:

Public facing industries, including teaching and education, social care, healthcare, civil service, retail and transport industries and occupations had highest odds ratios for long-COVID. By major SOC group, those in caring, leisure and other services (OR 1.44, CIs 1.38-1.52) had substantially elevated odds than average. For almost all exposures, the pattern of odds ratios for long-COVID symptoms followed that for SARS-CoV-2 infections, except for professional occupations (OR<1 for infection; OR>1 for long-COVID). 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% (those 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.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: Preprints Database: medRxiv Main subject: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / COVID-19 / Malocclusion Language: English Year: 2023 Document Type: Preprint

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Full text: Available Collection: Preprints Database: medRxiv Main subject: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / COVID-19 / Malocclusion Language: English Year: 2023 Document Type: Preprint