Dataset Information

COVID-19 seroprevalence after the first UK wave of the pandemic and its association with the physical and mental wellbeing of secondary care healthcare workers.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To determine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody status amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) working through the first wave of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. To examine the association of seroprevalence and self-reported COVID-19 symptoms with occupation, sex, and ethnicity; and how these factors were associated with physical and mental wellbeing.

Design

Single-centre cohort study.

Setting

Large public hospital in the United Kingdom.

Intervention

All HCWs who had been tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig) G nucleocapsid antibody in summer 2020 were asked to complete an electronic survey focusing on their physical and mental health in Winter 2020-21. This survey was comprised of the Short Form 12v2, Physical Component Summary (PCS), Mental Component Summary (MCS), and Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) questionnaires.

Results

7604/9781 (77.7%) HCWs were antibody tested, of which 1082 completed the full survey. Antibody testing was conducted between 17/06/20-30/07/20, during which time our seroprevalence rate was 28% (299/1082). Of those self-reporting COVID-19 symptoms, 51% (201/395) were antibody positive. Antibody-positive participants had lower PCS scores (p = 0.016), indicating poorer physical health. Lower PCS scores were also found in those deemed high risk for COVID-19 by their GP (p = 0.001), and those aged >44 years (p = 0.009). Antibody-negative participants had lower MCS scores (p = 0.044), indicating poorer mental health. Those who self-reported COVID-19 symptoms had lower PCS scores (p=<0.001) than those with no symptoms. Lower MCS scores were found in women (p = 0.001), Caucasians (p = 0.018), non-clinicians (p = 0.001), and those aged <44 years (p = 0.009). Significantly higher GAD-7 anxiety scores were evident in staff aged <44 years (p = 0.023), and those with self-reported COVID symptoms (p = 0.031). Doctors had lower GAD-7 anxiety scores (p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Self-reported symptoms did not correlate with seroprevalence; data surrounding this can be useful for future workforce planning. Interventions are needed to reduce the mental and physical burden of the pandemic on HCWs. Further work is needed to identify which particular HCWs may require further support, to ensure well-being and effective patient care.

Trial registration

Sponsor Protocol number - 2020COV112, Clinicaltrials.gov number -NCT04527432.

SUBMITTER: Sethi S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9355737 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

COVID-19 seroprevalence after the first UK wave of the pandemic and its association with the physical and mental wellbeing of secondary care healthcare workers.

Sethi Sonika S Manuelpillai Natasha N Mandal Anandadeep A Simpson Olivia O Morrissey Hana H Ball Patrick P Sharrod-Cole Hayley H Ford Clare C Whittaker Anna C AC Drayson Mark M Race Adam A Bateman James J Basu Supratik S Cotton James J

Brain, behavior, & immunity - health 20220806

<h4>Objectives</h4>To determine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody status amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) working through the first wave of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. To examine the association of seroprevalence and self-reported COVID-19 symptoms with occupation, sex, and ethnicity; and how these factors were associated with physical and mental wellbeing.<h4>Design</h4>Single-centre cohort study.<h4>Setting</h4>Large p ...[more]

PMID: 35957800

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Project description:BackgroundWe aimed to measure SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs) during the first UK wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, explore risk factors associated with infection, and investigate the impact of antibody titres on assay sensitivity.MethodsHCWs at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH) were prospectively enrolled and sampled at two time points. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were tested using an in-house assay for IgG and IgA reactivity against Spike and Nucleoprotein (sensitivity 99·47%, specificity 99·56%). Data were analysed using three statistical models: a seroprevalence model, an antibody kinetics model, and a heterogeneous sensitivity model.FindingsAs of 12th June 2020, 24·4% (n=311/1275) HCWs were seropositive. Of these, 39·2% (n=122/311) were asymptomatic. The highest adjusted seroprevalence was measured in HCWs on the Acute Medical Unit (41·1%, 95% CrI 30·0-52·9) and in Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists (39·2%, 95% CrI 24·4-56·5). Older age groups showed overall higher median antibody titres. Further modelling suggests that, for a serological assay with an overall sensitivity of 80%, antibody titres may be markedly affected by differences in age, with sensitivity estimates of 89% in those over 60 years but 61% in those ≤30 years.InterpretationHCWs in acute medical units working closely with COVID-19 patients were at highest risk of infection, though whether these are infections acquired from patients or other staff is unknown. Current serological assays may underestimate seroprevalence in younger age groups if validated using sera from older and/or more symptomatic individuals.Research in contextEvidence before this study: We searched PubMed for studies published up to March 6th 2021, using the terms "COVID", "SARS-CoV-2", "seroprevalence", and "healthcare workers", and in addition for articles of antibody titres in different age groups against coronaviruses using "coronavirus", "SARS-CoV-2, "antibody", "antibody tires", "COVID\" and "age". We included studies that used serology to estimate prevalence in healthcare workers. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence has been shown to be greater in healthcare workers working on acute medical units or within domestic services. Antibody levels against seasonal coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 were found to be higher in older adults, and patients who were hospitalised.Added value of this study: In this healthcare worker seroprevalence modelling study at a large NHS foundation trust, we confirm that those working on acute medical units, COVID-19 "Red Zones" and within domestic services are most likely to be seropositive. Furthermore, we show that physiotherapists and occupational therapists have an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. We also confirm that antibody titres are greater in older individuals, even in the context of non-hospitalised cases. Importantly, we demonstrate that this can result in age-specific sensitivity in serological assays, where lower antibody titres in younger individuals results in lower assay sensitivity.Implications of all the available evidence: There are distinct occupational roles and locations in hospitals where the risk of COVID-19 infection to healthcare workers is greatest, and this knowledge should be used to prioritise infection prevention control and other measures to protect healthcare workers. Serological assays may have different sensitivity profiles across different age groups, especially if assay validation was undertaken using samples from older and/or hospitalised patients, who tend to have higher antibody titres. Future seroprevalence studies should consider adjusting for age-specific assay sensitivities to estimate true seroprevalence rates.Author contributions

Project description:BackgroundSupported wellbeing centres established during the COVID-19 pandemic provided high quality rest spaces and access to peer-to-peer psychological first aid for healthcare workers (HCWs). The centres were well accessed and valued by HCWs, but their relationship with wellbeing and job-related factors is not well established. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between wellbeing centre use, HCWs wellbeing and job-related factors (job stressfulness, job satisfaction, presenteeism, turnover intentions).MethodsSecondary analysis of data from 819 HCWs from an acute hospital trust who completed an online survey in April-July 2020, as part of the COVID-Well study. Measures included the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and four single-item global measures of job stressfulness, job satisfaction, presenteeism and turnover intentions. ANCOVA models and regression analyses were conducted on these data.ResultsHCWs who had not accessed the wellbeing centres had lower wellbeing (β = 0.12, p < .001), higher job stressfulness (β = - 0.22, p < .001), lower job satisfaction (β = 0.39, p < .001), higher presenteeism (β = - 0.22, p < .001) and were of younger age (β = 0.09, p = .002). Centre use was associated with wellbeing irrespective of job stressfulness. Those reporting presenteeism and who accessed the centre (M = 3.30, SE = 0.04) had higher wellbeing than those who accessed the centre but did not report presenteeism (M = 3.06, SE = 0.04) (F(1, 791) = 18.65, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.02). Centre use was not significantly associated with turnover intentions (B = - 0.30, p = .13; Wald = 2.26; odds = 0.74), while job stress and job satisfaction showed significant effects.ConclusionsAccessing wellbeing centres was associated with higher wellbeing of HCWs, particularly for those reporting presenteeism. Therefore, the centres may have provided greatest respite and restoration for those present at work but not in optimal health. Younger workers were disproportionately affected in terms of wellbeing, and targeted support for this population is needed. Strategies to decrease presenteeism and maximise job satisfaction are urgently required. Healthcare organisations should provide rest spaces and psychological support to HCWs for the long-term, as part of a systems-wide approach to improving workforce health and wellbeing.

Dataset Information

COVID-19 seroprevalence after the first UK wave of the pandemic and its association with the physical and mental wellbeing of secondary care healthcare workers.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Intervention

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

Publications

COVID-19 seroprevalence after the first UK wave of the pandemic and its association with the physical and mental wellbeing of secondary care healthcare workers.

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