Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Work Functioning in Japanese Workers: A Prospective Cohort Study
10.1016/j.shaw.2023.10.004
- Author:
Makoto OKAWARA
1
;
Keiki HIRASHIMA
;
Yu IGARASHI
;
Kosuke MAFUNE
;
Keiji MURAMATSU
;
Tomohisa NAGATA
;
Mayumi TSUJI
;
Akira OGAMI
;
Yoshihisa FUJINO
;
For the CORoNaWork Project
Author Information
1. Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
- Publication Type:Original article
- From:Safety and Health at Work
2023;14(4):445-450
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:The impact of COVID-19 infection on workers' work function persists even after the acute phase of the infection. We studied this phenomenon in Japanese workers.
Methods:We conducted a one-year prospective cohort study online, starting with a baseline survey in December 2020. We tracked workers without baseline work functioning impairment and incorporated data from 14,421 eligible individuals into the analysis. We estimated the incidence rate ratio for new onset of work functioning impairment due to COVID-19 infection during follow-up, using mixed-effects Poisson regression analysis with robust variance.
Results:Participants reporting infection between January and December 2021 showed a significantly higher incidence of new work functioning impairment (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 2.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.75–2.71, p < 0.001). The formality of the recuperation environment correlated with a higher risk of work functioning deterioration in infected individuals (p for trend <0.001).
Conclusion:COVID-19-infected workers may continue to experience work difficulties due to persistent, post-acute infection symptoms. Companies and society must urgently provide rehabilitation and social support for people with persistent symptoms, recognizing that COVID-19 is not just a transient acute infection.
