Adults with current long COVID missed more work, facing greater financial hardship than those without the condition or whose symptoms had resolved, according to a large U.S. cohort study. Vaccination before infection was associated with better work and financial outcomes, even among those with long COVID.

The study included 3,663 adults with at least one SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 2020 and August 2022, with follow-up surveys through April 2024. Of the participants, 27% reported ongoing symptoms, 2% had resolved symptoms, and 71% never had long COVID. The average age was about 40 years, and two-thirds were women.

Participants with current long COVID were less likely to be employed (78.2% vs 83.1%) and more likely to have reduced work hours (25.8% vs 13.5%) compared to those who never had long COVID. About one-quarter had reduced work hours compared with 14% of those without the condition. Unemployment was more common, affecting more than one in five in the long COVID group versus 14% of those without long COVID.

Among employed participants, average weekly work capacity was reduced by 17.7% in the current long COVID group, compared with 3.2% in those without the condition. They also missed more scheduled work hours and reported greater impairment while working.

The impact extended beyond employment. Nonwork activity levels were reduced by 16.4% in the current long COVID group, compared with 2.4% in those without the condition.

Financial hardship scores were lower in the current long COVID group, indicating greater economic strain. About 22% experienced moderate to high financial hardship, compared with 5% of those without the condition.

Vaccinated participants also reported less work impairment, fewer activity limitations, and lower financial hardship than unvaccinated participants.

Long COVID status was self-reported, which may have limited the study, along with possibly including other conditions. The sample was more likely to be non-Hispanic White, female, and younger than the U.S. population, which may limit generalizability, and the resolved long COVID group was small, reducing precision in comparisons. Internet access was required for participation, potentially biasing toward those with more resources.

Full disclosures can be found in the published study.

Source: JAMA Network Open