Clinical and epidemiological features of post-covid syndrome and psychoemotional consequences of COVID-19 in occupational groups
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the health of workers in professional settings, especially healthcare. High morbidity, repeated episodes of infection, and the prevalence of post-COVID syndrome (PCS) and psychoemotional disorders necessitate studying their role in reduced work capacity and the development of risk factors.Abalaeva A.K., Akimkin V.G., Strizhakov L.A., Bukhtiyarov I.V., Kostenko N.A.
Objective. Comparative analysis of the incidence of COVID-19, its clinical course, the structure of PCS, and psychoemotional disorders among healthcare and non-healthcare workers, and identification of risk factors associated with the development of PCS and reduced work capacity.
Materials and methods. As part of a cross-sectional descriptive study, an anonymous online survey among 804 employees of the Russian Railways Medicine network (524 medical and 280 non-medical workers) was conducted from January to March 2025. The prevalence and severity of COVID-19, the structure of acute and post-COVID symptoms, psychoemotional status, and recovery were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson χ² test and Spearman correlation coefficient.
Results. A total of 617 (76.7%) individuals recovered from COVID-19, with no significant differences between medical (77.3%) and non-medical (75.7%) workers (p = 0.73). Acute symptoms (fever > 38°C, loss of smell/taste, asthenia) were significantly more common among healthcare workers (p < 0.05). In the post-COVID period, chronic fatigue was reported by 67.6% of respondents, significantly more often among medical personnel (73.8% vs. 55.7%; p < 0.001). “Fatigue from interacting with people” was reported by 45.8% and 29.3% of respondents, respectively (p < 0.001). Risk factors for PCS included age ≥ 50 years (ρ = 0.22; p < 0.001) and repeated episodes of infection (ρ = 0.11; p = 0.007).
Conclusion. Healthcare workers were more likely to experience more severe COVID-symptoms in the acute and post-COVID periods, reflecting their professional vulnerability. Those at greatest risk are those over 50 years of age with repeated episodes of COVID-19 and severe psychoemotional disorders. Comprehensive prevention and rehabilitation programs are required.
Keywords
COVID-19
occupational diseases
healthcare workers
SARS-CoV-2
post-COVID syndrome
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About the Authors
Amira K. Abalaeva, 2nd-year Postgraduate Student, Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being; Analyst, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russia (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; ustarhanova95@gmail.com; http://orcid.org/0009-0002-1882-5038Professor Vasiliy G. Akimkin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, MD, Director, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; vgakimkin@yandex.ru; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4228-9044
Professor Leonid A. Strizhakov, MD, Deputy Director for Scientific and Clinical Work, N.F. Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Medicine, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russia; Professor, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aviation, Space and Diving Medicine, Head, Center for Occupational Pathology, I.. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health оf the Russia (Sechenov University). Moscow, Russia; strizhakov@irioh.ru; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2291-6453
Professor Igor V. Bukhtiyarov, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, MD, Director, N.F. Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Medicine, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russia; Head, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aviation, Space and Diving Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health оf the Russia (Sechenov University). Moscow, Russia; info@irioh.ru; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8317-2718
Natalia A. Kostenko, Head, Department of Medical Activities, Central Health Directorate – Branch of Russian Railways Open Joint-Stock Company, Moscow, Russia; kostenkona@dmo.org.rzd.ru
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