Actividad laboral en una cohorte de pacientes con linfoma non Hodgkin

Abstract

Background. Cancer affects many dimensions determining quality of life, including work. However, the importance of work to cancer survivors has received little attention. Aim. Employment and work-related disability were investigated in a cohort of non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma patients to describe a possible discrimination and other work issues. Patients and Methods. The study included consecutively 37 non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma patients who were employed at diagnosis. The questionnaire included cancerrelated symptoms and work-related factors. Clinical details were obtained from the medical record. Patients were interviewed face to face and 32 variables were recorded. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Hospital La Paz. All patients gave consent to participate. Results. Eighty six per cent of patients were unable to work after diagnosis, but 68% returned to work at the end of treatment. The type of worker and the sequelae of the disease or its treatment were independently associated with the ability to work after the end of treatment. Almost all patients told their employers and co-workers about their disease. None reported job discrimination. Conclusions. This is the first exploratory study in Spain about labour reintegration in non-Hodgkin´s lymphomas. Further studies are necessary.