Prevalence and symptoms of Long Covid-19 in the workplace

Mohd Yusoff H 1 , Yew SQ 1 , Mohammed Nawi A 1 , Htwe O 2 , Mohd Tohit N 3 , Mohamed Z 4 Show all authors , Muhamad Noordin MA 5 , Che Mohamed N 6 , Mohd FH 6

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • 3 Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 4 Negeri Sembilan State Health Department, Jalan Rasah, Negeri Sembilan, 70300 Seremban, Malaysia
  • 5 Research Management Center, Research and Development Department, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 6 Project Management, UKM Pakarunding, Level 3, Bangunan Wawasan, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Occup Med (Lond), 2025 Jan 11.
PMID: 39800813 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqae128

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The symptoms of Long coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are heterogeneous, creating uncertainty for employers regarding the diagnosis. The prevalence of Long Covid-19 in the workforce is also unknown. Furthermore, workers affected by Long Covid-19 encounter considerable difficulties in ensuring work safety and returning to their jobs due to this condition.

AIMS: This review is aimed to identify the prevalence of Long Covid-19 in the workplace and to determine the various symptoms of Long Covid-19 experienced by the workers.

METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled estimates for the prevalence of Long Covid-19. Heterogeneity among the estimates was evaluated using the I² statistic.

RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of Long Covid-19 among workers across the 11 studies was 38% (95% CI 23-56). A total of 43 symptoms associated with Long Covid-19 were identified in the workplace, with the top five symptoms being dyspnoea at moderate activity (51%, 95% CI 39-62), mental symptoms (38%, 95% CI 6-87), dyspnoea at mild activity (35%, 95% CI 25-47), fatigue (26%, 95% CI 3-78) and effort intolerance (24%, 95% CI 15-35).

CONCLUSIONS: The review indicates a significant burden of long-lasting symptoms within the workforce. The top five reported symptoms of Long Covid-19 were dyspnoea during mild and moderate activities, mental symptoms, fatigue and effort intolerance.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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