Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41184874›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Characterising disability in patients with long COVID-does gender matter? an analytic cross-sectional study.

Cecilia Hee Laursen, Trine Brøns Nielsen, Steffen Leth, Berit Schiøttz-Christensen, Claus Vinther Nielsen, Vivian Langagergaard, Lotte Sørensen, Dorthe Sørensen, Lisa Gregersen Oestergaard

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Cecilia Hee LaursenDepartment of Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark. cecilaur@rm.dk.
Trine Brøns NielsenDepartment of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
Steffen LethDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark.
Berit Schiøttz-ChristensenResearch Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Claus Vinther NielsenDepartment of Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark.
Vivian LangagergaardDepartment of Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark.
Lotte SørensenDepartment of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Dorthe SørensenResearch Centre for Care and Rehabilitation, VIA University College, Aarhus, Denmark.
Lisa Gregersen OestergaardDepartment of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLong COVID affects patients' daily functioning and activity participation. However, gender-specific differences remain insufficiently explored despite well-documented effects of gender on health outcomes. This study examines gender differences in sociodemographic characteristics, employment status, sick leave, and mental fatigue among individuals with long COVID. Furthermore, this study explores self-reported and prioritised problems with activities of daily living (ADL) across genders and compares patterns between women and men. We hypothesised that traditional gender roles would manifest in distinct challenges for women and men.

methodsWe included 780 individuals (567 women and 213 men) diagnosed with long COVID who were referred to occupational therapy at a Danish outpatient clinic for long COVID. Sociodemographic characteristics, employment status, and sick leave were self-reported. Mental fatigue was assessed using the Mental Fatigue Scale, and ADL problems using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. A qualitative deductive content analysis was conducted to further categorise prioritised ADL problems.

resultsA higher proportion of women than men had higher education (55% vs. 37%). No statistically significant gender difference was seen in the prevalence of sick leave (57% vs. 50%). Moderate to severe mental fatigue was reported by 78% of women and 68% of men, with women reporting significantly higher fatigue (p < 0.001). Minor gender differences in ADL problems were observed, with more women reporting difficulties in household management, quiet recreation, and social interaction. Both women and men prioritised similar ADL problems, such as paid work, physical activity, social interaction, and fulfilling caregiving roles.

conclusionADL challenges reported by women and men were largely similar and had a significant impact on their daily lives. Identifying key activity limitations is essential to inform effective rehabilitation strategies.

Indexed as

Activities of Daily LivingCOVID-19Persons with DisabilitiesAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesDenmarkEmploymentFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSex FactorsSick LeaveActivities of daily livingGender differencesLong COVIDPersistent COVID-19 symptomsRehabilitationWork ability, mental fatigue

Identifiers

PMID41184874
PMCPMC12581381

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.