Long-term Health-related Quality of Life in Working-age COVID-19 Survivors: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

BackgroundMost working-age (18-64) adults have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, and some may have developed post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). However, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) greater than 2 years following infection remains uncharacterized. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, COVID-19 survivors from throughout British Columbia (BC), Canada, completed a questionnaire greater than 2 years post-infection. PCC status was self-reported, and HRQOL was assessed using the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. We compared HRQOL in those with current PCC, those with recovered PCC, and those without a history of PCC. Iterative proportional fitting was used to weight analyses to be representative of COVID-19 survivors in BC. Multivariable regression models were used to adjust for confounders. ResultsOf the 1,135 analyzed participants, 19.2% had current PCC, and 27.6% had recovered PCC. Compared to those without a history of PCC, participants with recovered PCC had a similar weighted mean EQ-5D health utility (adjusted difference -0.02 [95%CI -0.03, 0.00]), but those with current PCC had a lower health utility (adjusted difference -0.08 [95%CI -0.12, -0.05]). Compared to those without a history of PCC, participants with current PCC were more likely to report problems with mobility (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 6.00 [95%CI 2.88-12.52]), self-care (aOR 5.96 [95%CI 1.84-19.32]), usual activities (aOR 8.00 [95%CI 4.27-14.99]), pain/discomfort (aOR 4.28 [95%CI 2.46-7.48]), and anxiety/depression (aOR 3.45 [95%CI 1.90-6.27]). ConclusionsIn working-age adults who have survived greater than 2 years following COVID-19, HRQOL is high among those who have never had PCC or have recovered from PCC. However, individuals with ongoing symptoms of PCC have lower HRQOL and are more likely to have deficits in multiple functional domains. These findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted healthcare interventions to improve HRQOL in adults with long-term PCC.