Work-related factors may increase the risk of developing long COVID, according to a new population-based study from Spain.

The findings, published in BMJ Occupational & Environmental Medicine, suggest that the primary work-related drivers of increased long COVID risk were irregular or limited use of respirators, close contact with coworkers and/or the public, inability to physical distance, and use of public transportation to commute to work.

44% higher odds of long COVID with high-risk jobs

For the study, European researchers analyzed data from the COVICAT cohort, which followed up on adults in Catalonia, Spain, from 2020 through 2023. Among 2,054 employed adults ages 40 to 69 with a previously confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and complete occupational information, nearly one in four (23.7%) developed long COVID, defined as having at least one symptom persisting three months or more after infection.