Return to work after coronary artery bypass surgery. A 10-year follow-up study

To establish which factors influence patients' return to work and how well they remain at work after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Five hundred and sixty nine consecutive CABG patients aged less than 65 years were followed for 10 years. Data were collected from patient records and by questionnaires supplemented with information from Finnish national archives.

Multivariate analysis showed the best predictors for return to work to be younger age, preoperative working, as well as absence of diabetes or perioperative cardiac damage. Almost half of the patients aged less than 60 and preoperatively not retired were working one year after CABG. Five years postoperatively, 85% of patients younger than 60 years and once returned to work were still working. Correspondingly, of subjects remaining under 60 years during a 10-year follow-up, 75% continued working.

Younger age and preoperative employment were the most important predictors of successful return to work. Once returned after CABG, patients' staying at work was comparable with that in the general population.