Tag: long covid disability

Long COVID as a chronic illness: giving credibility to support students

Abstract:

The SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to account for millions of short- and long-term conditions that can impact an individual’s cognition, breathing, and digestion. Specifically, Long COVID creates long-term health problems, diagnosable if COVID-19 symptoms present after an initial infection. Approximately 15% of U.S. adults with a prior positive COVID-19 diagnosis experience Long COVID symptoms. (See Roy H. Perlis, et al, Prevalence and Correlates of Long COVID Symptoms Among US Adults, 5 JAMA NETW OPEN 10 (October 27, 2022).) Long COVID is plaguing individuals’ ability to return to their typical functioning, including their ability to return to work. (See Katie Bach, New Data Shows Long Covid Is Keeping as Many as 4 Million People Out of Work, BROOKINGS INSTITUTE (August 24, 2022) (https://brook.gs/3xktTkC).)

Source: Aquino, K.C., Jarrow, J., Vance, L. and Rei-Skoff, A.E. (2023), Long COVID as a chronic illness: giving credibility to support students. Disability Compliance for Higher Education, 28: 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1002/dhe.31478

How do long COVID patients perceive their current life situation and occupational perspective? Results of a qualitative interview study in Germany

Abstract:

Introduction: Many people experience persistent or new-onset symptoms such as fatigue or cognitive problems after an acute infection with COVID-19. This phenomenon, known as long COVID, impacts physical and mental wellbeing, and may affect perceived quality of life and occupational perspectives likewise. The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how people with long COVID experience health-related restrictions in their daily life and their occupational situation, and to identify key challenges they face.

Methods: Guided qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 people with long COVID. The interviews were transcribed according to Dresing/Pehl and Kuckartz and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Afterward, a systematic comparison of the data and a reflection under consideration of lifeworld-theoretical approaches (Berger and Luckmann) were carried out.

Results: The interviews revealed that many participants have severe symptoms which strongly impair them in perform daily and work-related activities, and in their personal interests. Many interviewees already reach their stress limit during routine household activities or childcare. Of the 25 participants, 19 experienced limitations in pursuing leisure activities, and 10 of the 23 interviewees with jobs reported being on sick leave for several months. Several respondents who had vocational reintegration are still affected by ongoing symptoms that affect their work performance considerably. This leads to uncertainty, role conflicts, a decline in social contacts, and decreased incomes, which contribute to an impairment in their quality of life.

Conclusions: This study shows the huge need for specific support for people with long COVID in different areas of life. To prevent people with long COVID from finding themselves in social and economic precarity, decision-makers should develop strategies to systematically support them in their sustainable reintegration into the workforce. The focus should be on creating long COVID-sensitive workplaces, compensating for decreased incomes, and improving access to relief services such as vocational reintegration. We argue, that a shift of perspectives is necessary and that long COVID should be considered rather as a “social disease” with considerably impairments in the social life of those affected.

Trial registration: The study is registered in the German register for clinical trials (DRKS00026007).

Source: Schmachtenberg T, Müller F, Kranz J, Dragaqina A, Wegener G, Königs G, Roder S. How do long COVID patients perceive their current life situation and occupational perspective? Results of a qualitative interview study in Germany. Front Public Health. 2023 Mar 9;11:1155193. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1155193. PMID: 36969629; PMCID: PMC10034079. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1155193/full (Full text)

Functional limitations in individuals with long COVID

Abstract:

Objectives: To examine the extent of long-term functional deficits experienced by individuals hospitalized for COVID-19. Specific objectives were to: 1. describe changes in perceived global health, mobility, participation in daily activities, and employment status from pre-COVID-19 to ≥2 months following infection; and 2. evaluate factors associated with change in function.

Design: We conducted a telephone survey (at least 2 months post infection).

Setting: Population-based study of adults living at home.

Participants: Adult residents in Laval, Quebec, who were discharged home post-hospitalization for COVID-19.

Interventions: Not applicable MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants responded to a standard questionnaire (Covid-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Screen) regarding persistent symptoms and limitations in daily functioning. We calculated the prevalence of changes in perceived global health, mobility, personal care, participation in daily activities, and employment and evaluated associated factors using bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Almost all participants (94%) were more fatigued and reported deterioration of their global health status (90%) at least three months after infection. The majority were more short of breath, and experienced pain and anxiety. The change in outcomes indicate a substantial reduction in those reporting ‘good’ health status, mobility, personal care, and daily activities, and less employment. Time since diagnosis was significantly associated with global health, mobility, and participation in daily activities.

Conclusion: This population-based study suggests that individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 infection have symptoms that impact daily functional activities many months after infection. It is imperative that the impact of infection is better understood so that those affected long-term can receive the needed services.

Source: Mazer B, Feldman DE. Functional limitations in individuals with long COVID. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023 Mar 24:S0003-9993(23)00162-4. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.03.004. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36966957; PMCID: PMC10036292. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10036292/ (Full text)

The health impact of long COVID: a cross-sectional examination of health-related quality of life, disability, and health status among individuals with self-reported post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection at various points of recovery

Abstract:

Objective: The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has continued to present a significant burden to global public health efforts. The purpose of this study was to estimate the health-related quality of life, disability, and health status of individuals with self-reported long COVID at various lengths of recovery.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of individuals with self-reported long COVID. Participants were asked to complete the five-item EuroQOL EQ-5D-5L and EQ visual analog scale, the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 and the 10-item Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health v1.2 short form. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to characterize the responses and differences across groups.

Results: Eighty-two participants from 13 countries completed the EQ-5D-5L, 73 completed the WHODAS 2.0 and 80 participants completed the PROMIS. The mean EQ-5D-5L utility score was 0.51. The mean WHODAS score was 49.0. In the previous 30 days, participants reported their symptoms affected them for a mean of 24 days, they were totally unable to carry out usual activities for 15 days, and they cut back or reduced activities for 26 days. The mean PROMIS physical health and mental health scores were 10.7 and 8.6, respectively, corresponding to below-average health. No significant differences were detected across time or according to severity of acute infection.

Conclusions: Long COVID presents a significant chronic health burden to adults in the US and abroad. This health burden may persist for many months post-acute infection.

Source: Tak CR. The health impact of long COVID: a cross-sectional examination of health-related quality of life, disability, and health status among individuals with self-reported post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection at various points of recovery. J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2023 Mar 21;7(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s41687-023-00572-0. PMID: 36943643; PMCID: PMC10029785. https://jpro.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41687-023-00572-0 (Full text)

Quality of life and ability to work of patients with Post-COVID syndrome in relation to the number of existing symptoms and the duration since infection up to 12 months: a cross-sectional study

Abstract:

Purpose: Following SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, patients may suffer from long-lasting symptoms regardless of disease severity. Preliminary results show limitations in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study is to show a possible change depending on the duration since infection and the accumulation of symptoms. Additionally, other possible influencing factors will be analyzed.

Methods: The study population consisted of patients (18-65 years) presenting to the Post-COVID outpatient clinic of the University Hospital Jena, Germany, between March and October 2021. The HRQoL was assessed by the use of the RehabNeQ and the SF-36. Data analysis was descriptive with frequencies, means, and/or percentages. In addition, a univariate analysis of variance was performed to show the dependence of physical and psychological HRQoL on specific factors. This was finally tested for significance at an alpha level of 5%.

Results: Data from 318 patients were analyzed, most of whom had 3-6 months of infection (56%) and 5-10 symptoms persisted (60.4%). Both mental (MCS) and physical sum score (PCS) of HRQoL were significantly lower than those of the German normal population (p < .001). The number of remaining symptoms (MCS p = .0034, PCS p = .000) as well as the perceived ability to work (MCS p = .007, PCS p = .000) influenced the HRQoL.

Conclusion: The HRQoL of patients with Post-COVID-syndrome is still reduced months after infection and so is their occupational performance. In particular, the number of symptoms could have an influence on this deficit, which would need to be further investigated. Further research is needed to detect other factors influencing HRQoL and to implement appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Source: Lemhöfer C, Sturm C, Loudovici-Krug D, Guntenbrunner C, Bülow M, Reuken P, Quickert S, Best N. Quality of life and ability to work of patients with Post-COVID syndrome in relation to the number of existing symptoms and the duration since infection up to 12 months: a cross-sectional study. Qual Life Res. 2023 Mar 3:1–12. doi: 10.1007/s11136-023-03369-2. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36869248; PMCID: PMC9984128. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9984128/ (Full text)