Return to Work 2–5 Years After Stroke: A Cross Sectional Study in a Hospital-Based Population

Abstract

Purpose To describe factors associated with RTW in patients 2-5 years after stroke. Methods Cross sectional study, including patients 2-5 years after hospitalization for a first-ever stroke, who were <65 years and had been gainfully employed before stroke. Patients completed a set of questionnaires on working status and educational level, physical functioning (Frenchay Activities Index, FAI), mental functioning (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced, (COPE easy) and quality of life (Short-Form(SF)-36 and EQ(Euroqol)-5D). Caregivers completed the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI). Baseline stroke characteristics were gathered retrospectively. Baseline characteristics and current health status were compared between patients who did and did not RTW by means of logistic regression analysis with odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for age and gender. Results Forty-six patients were included, mean age of 47.7 years (SD 9.7), mean time since stroke of 36 months (SD 11.4); 18 (39 %) had RTW. After adjusting for age and gender a shorter length of hospitalization was associated with RTW (OR 0.87; CI 0.77-0.99). Of the current health status, a lower HADS depression score (0.76; 0.63-0.92), a less avoidant coping style (1.99; 0.80-5.00), better scores on the FAI (1.13; 1.03-1.25), the mental component summary score of the SF36 (1.07; 1.01-1.13), the EQ5D (349; 3.33-36687) and the CSI (0.68; 0.50-0.92) were associated with the chance of RTW. Conclusions A minority of working patients RTW after stroke; a shorter duration of the initial hospitalization was associated with a favorable work outcome. The significant association between work status and activities, mental aspects and quality of life underlines the need to develop effective interventions supporting RTW.

Person-related factors associated with work participation in employees with health problems: a systematic review

“…(2017) a, g Iakova et al (2012)Karoly et al (2013) d Norlund et al (2011)Strober and Arnett (2016) a Arwert et al (2017) a Dawson et al (2011) a, d De Vries et al . (2012b) Grytten et al .…”

“…In total, 14 quantitative studies investigated the association between different coping strategies and work participation (Table 2: Arwert et al 2017; Dawson et al 2011; De Vries et al 2012b; Grytten et al 2017; Heymans et al 2009; Huijs et al 2012; Iakova et al 2012; Karoly et al 2013; Luk et al 2010; Norlund et al 2011; Øyeflaten et al 2008, 2016; Strober and Arnett 2016; Truchon et al 2010). Nine studies found an effect of some coping strategies (Arwert et al 2017; Dawson et al 2011; Grytten et al 2017; Huijs et al 2012; Iakova et al 2012; Karoly et al 2013; Norlund et al 2011; Øyeflaten et al 2008; Strober and Arnett 2016).…”

“…Nine studies found an effect of some coping strategies (Arwert et al 2017; Dawson et al 2011; Grytten et al 2017; Huijs et al 2012; Iakova et al 2012; Karoly et al 2013; Norlund et al 2011; Øyeflaten et al 2008; Strober and Arnett 2016). The results of these studies indicated that some coping strategies, such as active problem-solving (Huijs et al 2012), could increase the chance of work participation in sick employees, while other coping strategies, such as passive coping (Dawson et al 2011) and avoidance coping (Iakova et al 2012), could decrease the chance of work participation.…”

Being a co-worker or a manager of a colleague returning to work after stroke: A challenge facilitated by cooperation and flexibility

“…For others the symptoms can be more "hidden" as cognitive and emotional changes as well as fatigue [4] and symptoms related to seeing and speech [5]. A major consequence of stroke is work disability [6]. Fewer than half of those who were working at the time of their stroke return to work (RTW) [7], thus approximately 3,000 Swedish workers do not return to work annually due to their stroke [2].…”

Change in quality of life in relation to returning to work after acquired brain injury: a population-based register study

“…Physical impairment (3) as well as reduced cognitive function such as fatigue, memory and concentration problems are common, affecting the patient's functioning in everyday life (4,5). With reduced cognitive function, it becomes harder to manage social life, living independently (6,7), getting a job or returning to work (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”