Ethnic and Racial Differences in Self-reported Symptoms, Health Status, Activity Level, and Missed Work at 3 and 6 Months Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Authors

Kelli N O'Laughlin
Robin E Klabbers
Imtiaz Ebna Mannan
Nicole L Gentile
Rachel E Geyer
Zihan Zheng
Huihui Yu
Shu-Xia Li
Kwun C G Chan
Erica S Spatz
Ralph C Wang
Michelle L'Hommedieu
Robert A Weinstein
Ian D Plumb
Michael Gottlieb
Ryan M Huebinger
Melissa Hagen
Joann G Elmore
Mandy J Hill
Morgan Kelly
Samuel McDonald
Kristin L Rising
Robert M Rodriguez
Arjun Venkatesh
Ahamed H Idris
Michelle Santangelo
Katherine Koo
Sharon Saydah
Graham Nichol
Kari A Stephens

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Journal

Frontiers in Public Health

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Data on ethnic and racial differences in symptoms and health-related impacts following SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited. We aimed to estimate the ethnic and racial differences in symptoms and health-related impacts 3 and 6 months after the first SARS-CoV-2 infection.

METHODS: Participants included adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection enrolled in a prospective multicenter US study between 12/11/2020 and 7/4/2022 as the primary cohort of interest, as well as a SARS-CoV-2-negative cohort to account for non-SARS-CoV-2-infection impacts, who completed enrollment and 3-month surveys (

RESULTS: Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, the majority of symptoms were similar over time between ethnic and racial groups. At 3 months, Hispanic participants were more likely than non-Hispanic participants to report fair/poor health (OR: 1.94; 95%CI: 1.36-2.78) and reduced activity (somewhat less, OR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.06-2.02; much less, OR: 2.23; 95%CI: 1.38-3.61). At 6 months, differences by ethnicity were not present. At 3 months, Other/Multiple race participants were more likely than white participants to report fair/poor health (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.25-2.88), reduced activity (somewhat less, OR: 1.72; 95%CI: 1.21-2.46; much less, OR: 2.08; 95%CI: 1.18-3.65). At 6 months, Asian participants were more likely than white participants to report fair/poor health (OR: 1.88; 95%CI: 1.13-3.12); Black participants reported more missed work (OR, 2.83; 95%CI: 1.60-5.00); and Other/Multiple race participants reported more fair/poor health (OR: 1.83; 95%CI: 1.10-3.05), reduced activity (somewhat less, OR: 1.60; 95%CI: 1.02-2.51; much less, OR: 2.49; 95%CI: 1.40-4.44), and more missed work (OR: 2.25; 95%CI: 1.27-3.98).

DISCUSSION: Awareness of ethnic and racial differences in outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection may inform clinical and public health efforts to advance health equity in long-term outcomes.

Keywords

Adult, Humans, COVID-19, Self Report, Race Factors, COVID-19 Vaccines, Prospective Studies, SARS-CoV-2, Health Status, White