Schwenkreis Peter, Kozak Agnessa, Gonschorek Andreas, Schmehl Ingo, Seddigh Susann, Fürst Andrea, Wohlfahrt Kai, Rademacher Corinna, Engel Lynn, Wefers Jacob, Kobes Kerrin, Kleinmüller Olaf, Wischnat Jana, Nienhaus Albert, Tegenthoff Martin
BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Hamburg, Germany.
GMS Hyg Infect Control. 2024 Nov 26;19:Doc62. doi: 10.3205/dgkh000517. eCollection 2024.
Healthcare and social workers had an increased occupational risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic. Some developed long-lasting symptoms known as post-COVID syndrome (PCS). To assess the consequences of COVID-19 for individuals insured by the German Social Accident Insurance, the BG hospitals (Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken: clinics for occupational accident insurance) established an interdisciplinary diagnostic programme. Data collected during routine clinical practice are transmitted to a multicenter post-COVID registry to enhance knowledge of the long-term consequences related to COVID-19 and to optimize diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation. The design of the post-COVID registry, along with a description of the study population, is detailed in this paper.
The registry includes patients with an occupational disease or accident. Depending on the severity and complexity of the symptoms, patients received an outpatient post-COVID examination or an inpatient post-COVID check (PCC). The collected data comprise demographics, occupational and social history, disease progression, pre-existing conditions, utilization of health services, persistent symptoms, and psychosocial and neuropsychological assessments. Further investigations are carried out in response to symptoms and needs, using clinical assessment, instrumental and imaging techniques, as well as questionnaires. In addition, serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples are preserved for biomarker analysis.
By September 2024, 1,957 patients from six BG hospitals were included. An interim analysis of 1,150 cases shows that patients are predominantly female (77%) and the average age is 51 years (standard deviation [SD] 10.5). Around 43% worked in nursing at the time of infection. In 63% of cases, an inpatient post-COVID check was carried out. About 20% were hospitalized during acute COVID-19 infection, with an average stay of 14.6 days (SD 18.4). More than half were still unable to work at the time of examination, with no significant differences between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. Common pre-existing conditions included heart disease (48%), allergies (45%), and lung disease (33%). PCS symptoms mainly consisted of reduced physical capacity (95%), concentration difficulties (79%), and shortness of breath (69%). 81% had previously received outpatient and/or inpatient rehabilitation.
The outpatient and the inpatient PCC are essential in managing the recovery process for patients with PCS. Data analysis will provide insights into the need for medical care and rehabilitation. In addition, longitudinal analyses will be used to track the progress of the post-COVID registry over time and monitor the effectiveness of the recommended measures.
在疫情期间，医护人员和社会工作者感染SARS-CoV-2的职业风险增加。一些人出现了被称为新冠后综合征（PCS）的长期症状。为了评估新冠疫情对德国社会事故保险参保人员的影响，BG医院（职业事故保险诊所）制定了一项跨学科诊断计划。在常规临床实践中收集的数据被传输到一个多中心新冠后登记处，以增进对与新冠疫情相关的长期影响的了解，并优化诊断、治疗和康复。本文详细介绍了新冠后登记处的设计以及研究人群的描述。
该登记处纳入患有职业病或遭遇职业事故的患者。根据症状的严重程度和复杂性，患者接受门诊新冠后检查或住院新冠后检查（PCC）。收集的数据包括人口统计学信息、职业和社会史、疾病进展、既往病史、医疗服务利用情况、持续症状以及心理社会和神经心理评估。针对症状和需求，使用临床评估、仪器检查和成像技术以及问卷进行进一步调查。此外，保存血清和脑脊液样本用于生物标志物分析。
截至2024年9月，来自6家BG医院的1957名患者被纳入。对1150例病例的中期分析表明，患者以女性为主（77%），平均年龄为51岁（标准差[SD]10.5）。感染时约43%的人从事护理工作。63%的病例进行了住院新冠后检查。约20%的人在新冠急性感染期间住院，平均住院时间为14.6天（SD 18.4）。超过一半的人在检查时仍无法工作，住院患者和非住院患者之间无显著差异。常见的既往病史包括心脏病（48%）、过敏（45%）和肺病（33%）。PCS症状主要包括身体能力下降（95%）、注意力不集中（79%）和呼吸急促（69%）。81%的人此前接受过门诊和/或住院康复治疗。
门诊和住院PCC对于管理PCS患者的康复过程至关重要。数据分析将深入了解医疗护理和康复的需求。此外，纵向分析将用于跟踪新冠后登记处随时间的进展，并监测推荐措施的有效性。
