Association between interruption to medical care and sickness presenteeism during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Japan

Okawara, M.; Ishimaru, T.; Tateishi, S.; Hino, A.; Tsuji, M.; Ogami, A.; Nagata, T.; Matsuda, S.; Fujino, Y.

Objective: This study examined the relationship between interruption to routine medical care during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and sickness presenteeism in Japan. Methods: An internet monitor questionnaire was conducted. Data from 27,036 people were analyzed. Interruption to medical care was defined based on the response "I have not been able to go to the hospital or receive treatment as scheduled." The number of sickness presenteeism days in the past 30 days was employed as the primary outcome. A zero-inflated negative binomial model was used for analysis. Results: The incidence rate ratio was significantly higher among workers who experienced interrupted medical care (2.26; 95% confidence interval: 2.03-2.52) than those who did not require routine medical care. Conclusions: This study suggests the importance of continuing necessary treatment during a pandemic to prevent presenteeism.