Burden of post-acute COVID-19 sequelae in healthcare workers and its course over a 30-month period-results from a prospective multicentre cohort.

Purpose: As healthcare workers (HCW) have been disproportionally affected by COVID-19, its post-acute sequelae (PASC) in HCW can impact healthcare systems. We assessed the burden and course of PASC in HCW over a 30-month period.
Methods: In a prospective multicentre HCW cohort in Switzerland, PASC surveys were conducted in 03/2021, 09/2021, 06/2022, 04/2023, and 10/2023. Stratified by viral variant at first infection, the prevalence of PASC symptoms, self-experienced PASC and the Post-COVID Functional Status (PCFS) were analysed cross-sectionally in 10/2023, self-perceived success of therapeutic measures used was assessed. The evolution of PASC symptoms and PCFS in Wild-type and non-Wild-type infected HCW compared to uninfected controls was analysed longitudinally across all surveys.
Results: In cross-sectional analysis, 1704 HCW (median age 47 years, 82.2% female) were included. Thereof, 30.7% reported ≥ 1 PASC symptom in 10/2023, with 115 (6.7%) stating to have or have had PASC. Both were most common after Wild-type infection compared to other variants. Overall, 17/115 (15%) indicated relevant/severe restrictions in their daily activities and of 85 (74%) that tried ≥ 1 measure against their symptoms, 69 (81%) reported having benefitted. Longitudinal analysis (n = 653) showed a significantly higher proportion of Wild-type infected HCW to report PASC symptoms compared to controls in 03/2021 (+ 21%, 95% CI 4-39), with decreasing trend (+ 7%, 95%CI -10-25 in 10/2023). This effect was not evident for non-Wild-type infected HCW.
Conclusions: Over a 30 month period, overall PASC burden in our HCW cohort decreased, although 1% still experience relevant restrictions in their daily life; Wild-type infected individuals show the highest disease burden.
Competing Interests: Declarations Conflict of interest All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. Ethical approval Written consent was obtained by all participants at study inclusion. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Eastern Switzerland (#2020–00502).
(© 2024. The Author(s).)