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COVID-19 risk by work-related factors: pooled analysis of individual linked data from 14 cohorts

delete2024-12-04
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OA
AI
M
Matthew Gittins *
W
Wels, Jacques
S
Sarah Rhodes
E
Evangelia Demou
R
Richard Shaw
O
Olivia KL Hamilton
J
Jingmin Zhu
B
Bożena Wielgoszewska
A
Anna J. Stevenson
E
Ellena Badrick
R
Rebecca Rhead
G
George B. Ploubidis
S
Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi
M
Martie van Tongeren
DOI:10.1136/oemed-2023-109391delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Background SARS-CoV-2 infection rates vary by occupation, but the association with work-related characteristics (such as home working, keyworker or furlough) are not fully understood and may depend on ascertainment approach. We assessed infection risks across work-related characteristics and compared findings using different ascertainment approaches.Methods Participants of 14 UK-based longitudinal cohort studies completed surveys before and during the COVID-19 pandemic about their health, work and behaviour. These data were linked to the National Health Service digital health records, including COVID-19 diagnostic testing, within the UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration (UK LLC) research environment. Poisson regression modelled self-reported infection and diagnostic test confirmed infection within each cohort for work-related characteristics. Relative Risk (RR) were then combined using random effects meta-analysis.Results Between March 2020 and March 2021, 74 757 individuals completed 167 302 surveys. Overall, 15 174 survey responses self-reported an infection, whereas 3053 had a linked positive test. Self-reported infection risk was greater in keyworkers versus not (RR=1.24 (95% CI 1.17, 1.31), among non-home working (1.08 (0.98, 1.19)) or some home working (1.06 (0.97, 1.17)) versus all home working. Part-time workers versus full time (0.94 (0.89, 0.99)) and furlough versus not (0.93 (0.88, 0.99)) had reduced risk. Results for the linked positive test outcome were comparable in direction but greater in magnitude, for example, a 1.85 (1.56, 2.20) in keyworkers.Conclusion The UK LLC provides new opportunities for researchers to investigate risk factors, including occupational factors, for ill-health events in multiple largescale UK cohorts. Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 illness appeared to be associated with work-related characteristics. Associations using linked diagnostic test data appeared stronger than self-reported infection status.
Keywords:
COVID-19
Occupational Health
Longitudinal studies
Meta-analysis

Journal

Occupational and Environmental Medicine cover
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
IF:
3.1
Papers:
4.5K
Citations:
9.1K

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MRC and CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
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University College London
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university of glasgow
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university of london
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University of Manchester
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