The relationship between long COVID, labor productivity, and socioeconomic losses in Japan: A cohort study

2024

Long COVID and Its Impact on Work in Japan

Sample size: 396 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Konishi Shunichiro, Masaki Katsunori, Shimamoto Kyoko, Ibuka Yoko, Goto Rei, Namkoong Ho, Chubachi Shotaro, Terai Hideki, Asakura Takanori, Miyata Jun, Azekawa Shuhei, Nakagawara Kensuke, Tanaka Hiromu, Morita Atsuho, Harada Norihiro, Sasano Hitoshi, Nakamura Ai, Kusaka Yu, Ohba Takehiko, Nakano Yasushi, Nishio Kazumi, Nakajima Yukiko, Suzuki Shoji, Yoshida Shuichi, Tateno Hiroki, Fukunaga Koichi

Primary Institution: Keio University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Labor productivity would decline further if long COVID symptoms persist.

Conclusion

The study found that long COVID significantly reduces labor productivity, leading to substantial economic losses over time.

Supporting Evidence

52.7% of patients experienced long COVID symptoms.
29.3% of patients continued to have long COVID symptoms one year after diagnosis.
Economic loss due to decreased labor productivity was $21,659 per year in the long COVID persistent group.
Patients with long COVID persistent symptoms had significantly lower presenteeism at all time points.
Longer duration of long COVID symptoms correlated with greater economic losses.

Takeaway

People who have long COVID may find it hard to work, and the longer they have it, the more money they lose because they can't work as well.

Methodology

The study assessed 396 patients categorized into three groups based on symptom progression and measured labor productivity through presenteeism and absenteeism at three time intervals.