{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "f71ad24b961149e7b39f486020b39399", "timestamp": "2026-09-27T17:02:50.727Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/f71ad24b961149e7b39f486020b39399.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/f71ad24b961149e7b39f486020b39399"}}, "title": "Self-reported symptom severity, general health, and impairment in post-acute phases of COVID-19: retrospective cohort study of Swedish public employees.", "authors": [{"family": "Larsson", "given": "Simon B", "initials": "SB"}, {"family": "von Feilitzen", "given": "Gustaf Stuk\u00e1t", "initials": "GS"}, {"family": "Andersson", "given": "Maria E", "initials": "ME"}, {"family": "Sikora", "given": "Per", "initials": "P"}, {"family": "Lindh", "given": "Magnus", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Nord\u00e9n", "given": "Rickard", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Nilsson", "given": "Staffan", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Sigstr\u00f6m", "given": "Robert", "initials": "R"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2022-11-17", "journal": {"title": "Sci Rep", "issn": "2045-2322", "volume": "12", "issue": "1", "pages": "19818", "issn-l": "2045-2322"}, "abstract": "This study aimed to examine current symptom severity and general health in a sample of primarily non-hospitalized persons with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed COVID-19 in comparison to PCR negative controls. During the first quarter of 2021, we conducted an online survey among public employees in West Sweden, with a valid COVID-19 test result. The survey assessed past-month severity of 28 symptoms and signs, self-rated health, the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 and illness severity at the time of test. We linked participants' responses to their SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests results. We compared COVID-19 positive and negative participants using univariable and multivariable regression analyses. Out of 56,221 invited, 14,222 (25.3%) responded, with a response rate of 50% among SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals. Analysis included 10,194 participants (86.4% women, mean age 45 years) who tested positive 4-12 weeks (N = 1425; subacute) and > 12 weeks (N = 1584; postcovid) prior to the survey, and 7185 PCR negative participants who did not believe that they had had COVID-19. Symptoms were highly prevalent in all groups, with worst symptoms in subacute phase participants, followed by postcovid phase and PCR negative participants. The most specific symptom for COVID-19 was loss of smell or taste. Both WHODAS 2.0 score and self-rated health were worst in subacute participants, and modestly worse in postcovid participants than in negative controls. Female gender, older age and acute illness severity had larger effects on self-rated health and WHODAS 2.0 score in PCR positive participants than in PCR negative. Studies with longer follow-up are needed to determine the long-term improvement after COVID-19.", "doi": "10.1038/s41598-022-24307-1", "pmid": "36396860", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC9672032"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "10.1038/s41598-022-24307-1"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-09-23T10:59:03.110Z", "modified": "2026-09-23T10:59:03.146Z"}