Return-to-work rates and predictors of absence duration after COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic
| Autor: | Aben, Bart, Kok, Robin N., de Wind, Astrid |
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| Přispěvatelé: | Public and occupational health, APH - Digital Health, APH - Societal Participation & Health, Neurology |
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2023 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | Aben, B, Kok, R N & de Wind, A 2023, ' Return-to-work rates and predictors of absence duration after COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic ', Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 182-192 . https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.4077 Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health, 49(3), 182-192. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health |
| ISSN: | 0355-3140 |
| Popis: | OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate employee return-to-work (RTW) rates and examine predictors of absence duration after COVID-19. RTW rates were referenced against RTW rates after absence due to flu-like symptoms and assessed over the course of the pandemic. METHODS: Routinely collected data from a nationally operating Dutch occupational health service was used. The data were retrieved from employees who reported sick due to COVID-19 (N=30 396) or flu-like symptoms (N=15 862). Data consisted of responses to a triage survey combined with longitudinal register-based information on sickness absence. RTW rates after COVID-19 were evaluated through Kaplan-Meier estimates and compared to RTW rates for flu-like symptoms, and between three periods with different dominant virus variants. Predictors for absence duration were examined through Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: RTW after COVID-19 was found to be notably later than after flu-like symptoms (median RTW=10 versus 6 days, respectively). On average, 5.5% of employees who contracted COVID-19 were absent for over 12 weeks. Time-to-RTW shortened as different virus variants became dominant over time. The main predictors contributing to later RTW were older age, female sex, belonging to a risk group, and the symptoms shortness of breath and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Estimates of the RTW rate after COVID-19 and identification of predictors may aid healthcare professionals in gaining insight into variations in the disease course and rehabilitation process. The present findings can help employers and policy-makers grasp the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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