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Work ability and associated factors among individuals with Post COVID-19 condition- a cross-sectional study

Stigmar, Kjerstin LU ; Axén, Iben ; Brogårdh, Christina LU ; Ekstrand, Elisabeth LU orcid ; Fänge, Agneta Malmgren LU orcid and Hansson, Eva Ekvall LU (2026) In BMC Public Health 26(1).
Abstract

Purpose: Long-standing symptoms have been reported after COVID-19 infection, which can negatively impact daily life and work. The purpose of this study was therefore to describe work ability and explore factors associated with poor work ability among individuals with Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC). Methods: We did an online survey among individuals with self-reported PCC. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore relationships between different factors associated with poor work ability. Results: A total of 608 individuals answered the survey (mean age 47.3 years (SD 9.9), 87% women). The majority (85%) had not been hospitalized on account of a COVID-19 infection. Work ability was... (More)

Purpose: Long-standing symptoms have been reported after COVID-19 infection, which can negatively impact daily life and work. The purpose of this study was therefore to describe work ability and explore factors associated with poor work ability among individuals with Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC). Methods: We did an online survey among individuals with self-reported PCC. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore relationships between different factors associated with poor work ability. Results: A total of 608 individuals answered the survey (mean age 47.3 years (SD 9.9), 87% women). The majority (85%) had not been hospitalized on account of a COVID-19 infection. Work ability was experienced as poor among 51%, but only 18% were on sick leave. In the final logistic regression model of four variables (Nagelkerke R Square 0.538, p < 0.001), mental fatigue was the most important factor for perceived poor work ability (Odds ratio 1.176; CI 95%: 1.123–1.232 p < 0.001, Nagelkerke R Square 0.406). Higher levels of dependency in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), greater physical fatigue, and impaired balance were also associated with self-reported poor work ability. Conclusion: Perceived poor work ability is common among people with PCC. Several factors are associated with poor work ability in this population whereof mental fatigue seems to be strongest. Given the complexity of these conditions and the consequences in everyday life, it is crucial to implement individually tailored interventions.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Mental fatigue, Physical fatigue, Post COVID-19 condition, Work ability
in
BMC Public Health
volume
26
issue
1
article number
1124
publisher
BioMed Central (BMC)
external identifiers
  • scopus:105035318836
  • pmid:41764433
ISSN
1471-2458
DOI
10.1186/s12889-026-26771-0
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
0eabc8ba-95e4-49b4-b83f-a26237e643cd
date added to LUP
2026-06-11 13:23:13
date last changed
2026-06-11 13:24:09
@article{0eabc8ba-95e4-49b4-b83f-a26237e643cd,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose: Long-standing symptoms have been reported after COVID-19 infection, which can negatively impact daily life and work. The purpose of this study was therefore to describe work ability and explore factors associated with poor work ability among individuals with Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC). Methods: We did an online survey among individuals with self-reported PCC. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore relationships between different factors associated with poor work ability. Results: A total of 608 individuals answered the survey (mean age 47.3 years (SD 9.9), 87% women). The majority (85%) had not been hospitalized on account of a COVID-19 infection. Work ability was experienced as poor among 51%, but only 18% were on sick leave. In the final logistic regression model of four variables (Nagelkerke R Square 0.538, p &lt; 0.001), mental fatigue was the most important factor for perceived poor work ability (Odds ratio 1.176; CI 95%: 1.123–1.232 p &lt; 0.001, Nagelkerke R Square 0.406). Higher levels of dependency in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), greater physical fatigue, and impaired balance were also associated with self-reported poor work ability. Conclusion: Perceived poor work ability is common among people with PCC. Several factors are associated with poor work ability in this population whereof mental fatigue seems to be strongest. Given the complexity of these conditions and the consequences in everyday life, it is crucial to implement individually tailored interventions.</p>}},
  author       = {{Stigmar, Kjerstin and Axén, Iben and Brogårdh, Christina and Ekstrand, Elisabeth and Fänge, Agneta Malmgren and Hansson, Eva Ekvall}},
  issn         = {{1471-2458}},
  keywords     = {{Mental fatigue; Physical fatigue; Post COVID-19 condition; Work ability}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
  series       = {{BMC Public Health}},
  title        = {{Work ability and associated factors among individuals with Post COVID-19 condition- a cross-sectional study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-26771-0}},
  doi          = {{10.1186/s12889-026-26771-0}},
  volume       = {{26}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}