Work Productivity Loss in People Living With Long COVID Symptoms Over 2 Years From Infection.

Naik, Hiten; Zhu, Bingyue; Er, Lee; Sbihi, Hind; Janjua, Naveed Z; Smith, Peter M; Tran, Karen C; Levin, Adeera et al. · J Occup Environ Med · 2025

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

To evaluate the work productivity loss in people experiencing long COVID symptoms more than 2 years after infection. In a cross-sectional study, employed adults from British Columbia, Canada, who had a polymerase chain reaction-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection more than 2 years earlier, completed an online survey incorporating the Valuation of Lost Productivity questionnaire. Long COVID status was self-reported. The data were weighted to mirror the demographic and clinical profile of COVID-19 survivors in British Columbia. Of 906 participants, 165 (18.7%) reported long COVID symptoms. These individuals reported greater total productivity loss than other COVID-19 survivors (adjusted mean difference, 99.2 hours per 3 months; 95% confidence interval, 44.9-167.5). Long COVID is associated with substantial work productivity loss. Given the large number of individuals affected by long COVID, this has significant implications for healthcare systems, the workforce, and economies.

Medical subject headings