Prognostic factors for work ability in sicklisted employees with chronic diseases

Abstract

Objective: Identifying prognostic factors for work ability in sicklisted employees with myocardial infarction (MI), chronic low back pain (cLBP) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in order to establish an objective basis for work ability evaluation. Design: Systematic literature search in PubMed database (1 January 1990 to 1 July 2006) with the Yale prognostic research filter. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) work-disabled employees; (2) MI, cLBP or MDD patients; (3) longitudinal designs; and (4) return to work or compensation status as outcome measure. Results: Four studies on MI met the inclusion criteria and described the following prognostic factors for work ability in the acute phase of the disease and disablement: lower age; male gender; no financial basis on which to retire; lower physical job demands; fewer somatic complaints; no anxiety attacks; no diabetes; no heart failure; no atrial fibrillation; no Q waves; and a short time interval between MI and presentation at the occupational medicine clinic. Two studies on cLBP met the inclusion criteria and described the following prognostic factors for work ability after 3 months' work disablement: lower age; male gender; no treatment before sick listing; surgery in the first year of sick listing; being a breadwinner; less pain; better general health; higher job satisfaction; lower physical and/or psychological demands at work; and a higher decision latitude at work. No relevant MDD studies were found. Conclusion: In the earlier phases of work disablement in MI and cLBP patients, only a few studies describe disease-specific, environmental and personal prognostic factors for return to work. No studies describe prognostic factors for MDD. More evidence is needed on the topic of prognostic factors for return to work in employees with chronic diseases.

Changes in Employment Status after Myocardial Infarction among Men

“…Some of the patients who were not satisfied with their working conditions said that they are less likely to tolerate them and therefore work less, while high work control and fairness in the workplace after CHD increase the likelihood of patients returning to their jobs, and high work expectations reduce it (22,23). According to one study, high stress levels at work increase disability retirements after AMI, independent of the prevalence of the disease, psychological status and perceived health level (24).…”

What promotes sustained return to work of employees on long-term sick leave? Perspectives of vocational rehabilitation professionals

“…Most studies have focused on factors and interventions for employees who are on sick leave for <6 weeks, and crucial information about promoting factors of specific chronic diseases and interventions used in this group of clients is still lacking (11,12). This study focuses on potentially influenceable factors that stimulate the RTW process.…”

Work-ability assessment in young adults with disabilities applying for disability benefits

“…Gender, age, educational level, IQ, psychosocial functioning were the personal factors found. Slebus et al have also shown that age, gender and (perceived) health influence work ability [17].…”

“…Because it is known that disease-related factors are weak indicators of work-ability [17] IPs should investigate personal and external factors as well, in line with the ICFmodel, to ensure that those factors will not hinder workability. The low prevalences and weak relationships with workability of these non-disease related factors (secondary and environmental) found in our study suggest that IPs do not take into account these important factors in a structured way.…”