Long COVID-19 and longer sick leave: longitudinal study of economically active patients.

Abstract

Introduction: Sick leave was one of the numerous consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the relevance of occupational status for any individual, the aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of persistent symptoms after active infection and determine factors associated with longer sick leaves (LSLs).

Methods: This observational study focused on economically active patients attending a post-COVID outpatient clinic for persistence of symptoms or radiological alterations after active infection. The LSL temporal cut-off point was defined by the third tertile of total leave days. Median leave time was compared with the optimal sick leave time for any other viral pneumonia, estimated by the local Ministry of Employment. To determine factors associated with LSL, multivariate models were ultilised.

Results: A total of 248 patients were included. The median sick leave time for the entire population was 53 days (interquartile range (IQR) 37.0-126.5), global sum of 30 169 days; the median optimal sick leave time was 21.9 days (IQR 19.7-25.9) (p<0.05). The third tertile cut-off point for LSL was 83 days and multivariate analysis showed a significant association with dyspnoea (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.59-6.70, p=0.0001), while physical exercise of at least 10 min·day^-1 was significantly associated with shorter sick leave durations (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.20-0.98, p=0.04).

Discussion: COVID-19 sick leave was considerably longer than that stipulated for nonsevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viral pneumonia. Long-COVID syndrome, especially dyspnoea, seems to be a very present factor in these patients' inability to work.