TOPLINE:

Individuals with post-COVID condition reported lower work ability than those without the condition, with no meaningful change over the 3 years following infection; a higher proportion of those with post‑COVID condition experienced worsening physical and mental work performance.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers analysed data of 667 individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection (median age, 43 years; 54.3% women) enrolled in a prospective population-based cohort in Switzerland to examine longitudinal changes in work ability and impaired work performance associated with post-COVID condition.
• Post-COVID condition was assessed at 12 months using self-reported COVID-related symptoms and a combined measure of self-reported recovery and health status.
• The primary outcome was self-perceived work ability, assessed using the Work Ability Index; higher scores indicated better ability to work, and assessments were conducted biannually from 12 months to 36 months post-infection.
• Physical and mental work performance and COVID-related sick leave were assessed at 36 months post-infection.

TAKEAWAY:

• Individuals with COVID-related symptoms consistently had lower mean scores on the Work Ability Index than those without, with no significant change in this gap over time (-0.12 points per year; 95% CI, -0.29 to 0.07).
• A higher proportion of individuals with post-COVID condition than those without reported at least some worsening in physical (37.7% vs 10.5%) and mental (33.8% vs 10.9%) work performance.
• Extended COVID-related sick leave lasting a month or longer was reported by 11.5% of individuals with post-COVID condition vs 4.0% of those without.

IN PRACTICE:

"Recognizing the long-term impact of PCC [post-COVID condition] on individuals' work capacity and ensuring early access to appropriate rehabilitation services, workplace support measures, as well as adequate financial benefits when necessary, will be essential to mitigate long-term socioeconomic consequences and promote the full recovery and well-being of affected individuals," the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Tala Ballouz, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. It was published online on November 20, 2025, in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe.

LIMITATIONS:

Individuals more concerned with their health were more likely to enrol, and those with post‑COVID condition were more likely to remain in the study. The study lacked a non-infected control group and data on pre-infection work ability. Most individuals were not hospitalised, limiting the study's generalisability to individuals with severe COVID. Post‑COVID condition was assessed by self‑report without clinical validation.

DISCLOSURES:

This study received funding from multiple sources, including the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, Department of Health of the Canton of Zurich, University of Zurich Foundation, and the European Union's Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Pro gramme. Some authors disclosed receiving salary or project funding, grants, or allowance fees from various organizations and pharmaceutical companies.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.