S36 Acute and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on economic vulnerability: a population-based longitudinal study in 16, 910 adults. (11th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williamson, AE; Tydeman, F; Martineau, AR
• Is Part Of: Thorax. Volume 77(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A25
• Page End: A25
• Publication Date: 2022-11-11
• Subjects: Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thorax; Chest -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1136/thorax-2022-BTSabstracts.42
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-6376

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Socio-economic deprivation is a well-recognised risk factor for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. However, the impact of COVID-19 infection on economic vulnerability has not previously been characterised. Objectives: To determine whether COVID-19 has a significant impact on household income and work absence due to sickness, both at onset of illness (acutely) and subsequently (long-term). Methods: Multivariate regression analysis of self-reported data from monthly online questionnaires completed by participants in the COVIDENCE UK population-based longitudinal study (n=16, 910) from 1st May 2020 to 28th October 2021, adjusting for baseline characteristics including age, sex, economic status and health. Results: Incident COVID-19 was independently associated with increased odds of participants reporting household income as being inadequate to meet their basic needs acutely (adjusted odds ratio [aOR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12 to 1.73) though this did not persist in the long-term (aOR 1.00, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.16). Exploratory analysis revealed a stronger acute association amongst those who reported 'long COVID', defined as the presence of symptoms lasting more than 4 weeks after the acute episode, than those reporting COVID-19 without 'long COVID' (p for trend 0.002). Incident COVID-19 associated with increased odds of reporting sickness absence from work in the long-term (aOR 4.73, 95% CI 2.47 to 9.06) but not acutely (aOR 1.34, 95% CI 0.52 to 3.49). Conclusions: We demonstrate an independent association between COVID-19 and increased risk of economic vulnerability amongst COVIDENCE participants, measured by both household income sufficiency and sickness absence from work. Since socio-economic deprivation also increases risk of COVID-19, our findings suggest a bidirectional relationship between COVID-19 and poverty. This may generate a 'vicious cycle' of increased vulnerability, impaired health, and poor economic outcomes. Please refer to page A208 for declarations of interest related to this abstract.