Ability to return to work and persistent symptoms six months after viral meningitis – a retrospective single-centre cohort study

Background Viral meningitis (VM) is often perceived as mild and self-limiting, but some studies indicate reduced ability to work and cognitive sequelae post-infection.Objectives To investigate VM patients’ self-reported return to work, persistent symptoms, and social limitations up to 6 months post-hospitalisation, assess predictors for full return to work at 6 months, and quantify neuropsychological testing use.Methods Retrospective single-centre cohort study of VM patients from 2015 to 2020. Data collected covered hospitalisation, work status at admission, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at discharge and neuropsychological testing. Additionally, information on work status and persistent symptoms (headaches, concentration difficulty, social limitations and sound sensitivity) at 1-, 3- and 6-month follow-up appointments.Results In total, 246 patients were included in the study (median age 33 years, 51.6% female). In all, 26.0% of patients underwent neuropsychological testing. Persistent symptoms could be assessed in 223 patients at follow-up appointments. Headaches were most reported symptom, occurring in 55.6%, 37.7% and 27.8% of patients at 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. Work status could be assessed in 199 patients. At 6 months, 52.8%patients were fully returned to work, while 24.1% reported a phased or no return. Full return to work was associated with male sex (OR 4.19, p = 0.003) and GOS score 5 at discharge (OR 15.11, p < 0.001).Conclusion Six months post-VM, approximately 25% of patients had reduced/no work ability and 30% at least one persistent symptom. Women had increased risk of not returning to full work.