130 Long-COVID by occupation and industry in the UK using the ONS coronavirus infection survey. Does sars-cov-2 infection matter?

Kromydas, Theocharis and Demou, Evangelia and Edge, Rhiannon and Gittins, Matthew and Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal and Pearce, Neil and Tongeren, Martie van and Wilkinson, Jack and Rhodes, Sarah (2025) 130 Long-COVID by occupation and industry in the UK using the ONS coronavirus infection survey. Does sars-cov-2 infection matter? Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 82 (Suppl.). A58.1-A58. ISSN 1351-0711

Abstract

Objective High prevalence of long-COVID has been reported in the education, social care and healthcare sector. However, differences in prevalence of long-COVID across industries and occupations and whether any differences are beyond those explained by differential risks in SARS-CoV-2 infection have not been investigated. Materials and Methods We utilised ONS Coronavirus Infection Survey (CIS) data (February 2021-April 2022) of working-age participants (16-65 years). The CIS began in April 2020 and aimed to be representative of the UK population. Exposures were industry, occupational group and major Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) group. Outcomes were self-reported long-COVID symptoms and reduced function due to long-COVID. We used the first available observation per industry and occupational exposure and other covariates, assuming no change across time. Binary and ordered logistic regression were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and prevalence (marginal means). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to estimate panel models that allowed for time variation. Results Public facing industries, including teaching and education, social care, healthcare, civil service, retail and transport industries and occupations, and those in caring, leisure and other services SOC group had higher likelihood of long-COVID. Long-COVID prevalence by industry ranged from a low of 7.7% in financial services to a high of 11.6% in teaching and education. Severity (i.e. reduced function by ‘a lot’) ranged from 17.1% in arts, entertainment and recreation to 22-23% in teaching and education and armed forces. OR trends for long-COVID predominantly followed those for SARS-CoV-2 infections, except for professional occupations (ORSARS-CoV-2 <1; ORlong-COVID>1). Conclusions Prevalence of long-COVID differs across industries and occupations. The likelihood of developing long-COVID symptoms mostly follows likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection, except for professional occupations. Our findings highlight industrial sectors and occupations where further research is needed to understand the occupational factors, beyond infection risk, that may result in long-COVID.