Jobs with the highest risk of persistent covid

A study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), promoted by the La Caixa Foundation, has revealed that work-related factors play a significant and independent role in the risk of developing persistent Covid.

The results, published in the journal BMJ Occupational & Environmental Medicinethey highlight that a “substantial” part of persistent Covid could be prevented by specific measures and policies in the workplaceISGlobal reports in a statement this Tuesday.

Data from more than 2,000 people

The analysis included 2,054 adults employed of the Covicat cohort, with data from Catalonia, who had had a confirmed Sars-Cov-2 infection, were between 18 and 70 years old at the beginning of the study, responded to the three follow-up surveys (2020-2023) and provided complete employment information.

Of them, 486 (23.7%) developed persistent Covid; the majority presented neurological symptoms (64%), followed by musculoskeletal (38%) and respiratory (28%).

Risk factors

Among the individual factors associated with a higher risk of persistent Covid were being a woman, having a low educational level, obesity, multimorbidity and having experienced Sars-Cov-2 infections more frequent or more serious.

On the other hand, vaccination against Covid-19 before infection, having had the first infection during the Omicron wave and older age were protective factors.

Occupation and protection

Occupation also emerged as a “strong and independent” determinant: people with jobs considered high risk for Covid-19 were 44% more likely to develop persistent Covid compared to those working in low-risk occupations.

Working in person instead of teleworking increased the risk by 57%; the infrequent or inconsistent use of FFP2o FFP3 masks increased it up to 52%, and traveling regularly by public transport increased it by 58%.

The group of occupations with the highest risk included health and social services professionals, teachers, retail, transportation and security personnel.

“Consistent with international evidence”

The first author of the study and researcher at the University of Turin (Italy), Sara de Matteis, has pointed out that the results are “consistent with emerging international evidence”and suggest several mechanisms through which occupational exposures may influence the development of long Covid.

Possible mechanisms include increased viral exposure in professions with high contact with patients and the public, and a weakened immune response due to high physical demands or work stress.

Public policies

The results reinforce the need for measures in the workplace, such as proper use of personal protective equipmentmasks and strategies to reduce close contact, not only to prevent infection but also to mitigate long-term consequences.

ISGlobal researcher and co-author of the study, Manolis Kogevinas, pointed out that given that work factors are modifiable, the results indicate that the burden associated with persistent Covid could be avoided “with specific measures.”

The authors call reinforce vaccination campaigns, provide masks and carry out regular health checks for high-risk occupations, and urge policymakers to “expand recognition and compensation” of persistent Covid linked to employment.