Journal article
Characteristics Associated With Persistent Long COVID Symptoms in Healthcare Personnel Infected With SARS-CoV-2 Between August 2022 and May 2024: A Multicenter Cohort Analysis of US Healthcare Personnel
American journal of industrial medicine
09/21/2026
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.70140
PMID: 42765200
Abstract
Long COVID affects a significant proportion of COVID-19 survivors. This study examined persistent Long COVID symptoms among healthcare personnel (HCP) and evaluated associations with vaccination, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, underlying health conditions, and demographics.
COVID-19-positive HCP were identified from a multi-state study of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. Electronic surveys collected symptom data at 3- and 6-month post-infection. The primary outcome, persistent Long COVID symptoms, was defined as the same moderate or severe symptom reported at both timepoints. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for persistent Long COVID, adjusting for demographics, recent vaccination, prior infection, and acute-phase illness severity.
Overall, 11.3% (169/1496) of HCP reported persistent Long COVID symptoms. Older age was associated with higher odds of persistent symptoms when compared to HCP ages 18-29 years: for ages 50-64 years, aOR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.09-3.49 and ≥ 65 years, aOR = 3.52, 95% CI 1.50-8.25. Female HCP had greater odds for persistent Long COVID (aOR = 3.05, 95% CI 1.58-5.86) than males. Prior infection (aOR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.14-2.78) and ≥ 2 underlying health conditions (aOR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.66-3.73) were associated with higher odds. Conversely, physicians (aOR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05-0.91), licensed practical and registered nurses (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37-0.94), and therapists or therapist assistants (aOR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.09-0.77) had lower odds versus non-clinical HCP.
These findings underscore the frequency of persistent Long COVID symptoms among HCP and their potential to strain the healthcare workforce.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Characteristics Associated With Persistent Long COVID Symptoms in Healthcare Personnel Infected With SARS-CoV-2 Between August 2022 and May 2024: A Multicenter Cohort Analysis of US Healthcare Personnel
- Creators
- Eric Kontowicz - University of IowaAmanda K Irish - University of Iowa Health CareLilly C Lee - Jackson Memorial HospitalHoward A Smithline - Baystate Medical CenterIan D Plumb - Centers for Disease Control and PreventionMelissa Briggs-Hagen - Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAlexandra F Rollins - COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, USAKarisa K Harland - University of Iowa Health CareAnusha Krishnadasan - University of California, Los AngelesKarin F Hoth - University of Iowa Health CareEliezer Santos-León - University of Iowa Health CareDavid A Talan - University of California, Los AngelesNicholas M Mohr - University of Iowa Health CareProject PREVENT Network
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of industrial medicine
- DOI
- 10.1002/ajim.70140
- PMID
- 42765200
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Ind Med
- ISSN
- 1097-0274
- eISSN
- 1097-0274
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Grant note
- UM1TR004403 / National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health U01CK000480 / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/21/2026
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Emergency Medicine; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Center for Social Science Innovation; Anesthesia; Injury Prevention Research Center; Law Faculty; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985236283402771
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