P-210 Long-Term Covid Detection and Case Management Program in “High-Risk Covid” Oil Industry Workers

Introduction We run a program for workers in the oil industry with “high risk COVID-19” aimed to identify the presence of long-COVID and its impact on QOL and to follow up cases requiring additional diagnostic studies and referral to specialists. We defined “High risk COVID-19” if workers had baseline risk factors (diabetes, overweight, respiratory, or cardiovascular diseases) or complicated infections (pneumonia, oxygen requirement or hospitalization). Methods We identified throughout the country workers with “high risk COVID-19”. A special team of doctors and nurses, previously trained ad hoc, contacted then by telephone or video call using a semi-structured survey, between 4 and 6 weeks after diagnosis. Between October and June 2022, 891 workers were included, and 2174 interviews were conducted in the follow-up. Results The majority were men (69%), aged 40.1 ± 8.7 years, 11% obesity, 2.1% diabetes, 2.8% asthma and 7.5% with hypertension. The occurrence of pneumonia and need for hospitalization was 18.2% and 10.1% until January 2021 when vaccination began and 8.1% and 4.5% later. We identify 377 patients (42.3%) with long-COVID: fatigue or tiredness (29.8%), dyspnea (14.4%), cough (16.3%), smell and taste disorders (16.8%), headache (5.9%), mental confusion (3.3%), muscle pain (4.1%). 23.9% had limitations in daily life. Discussion At follow-up, patients resolved their symptoms, and some were referred to pneumonologists, kinesiologists, psychologists, and cardiologists. Conclusion A follow-up program for COVID + workers with risk factors and/or complicated infections identified more than 40% of long-term COVID occurrence and almost one in four with impairment in QOL. Follow-up confirmed symptomatic improvement or determined referral for further diagnosis and treatment.