The influence of the type of occupation on return to work after myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty and...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Occupational Medicine

Background:

• Assessing the long-term outcomes of patients eligible for aortocoronary bypass surgery (ACBS) is crucial for understanding post-treatment functional status.
• A significant number of patients considered for ACBS do not undergo the procedure due to various reasons, necessitating analysis of this cohort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the return-to-work rates and influencing factors among patients assessed for ACBS.
• To identify medical and social determinants affecting employment status post-coronary angiography and pre-ACBS.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 306 patients, initially assessed for ACBS between 1980-1983, were evaluated at a mean of 16 months post-coronary angiography.
• Data on employment status, medical history, and social factors were collected via questionnaire.
• Statistical analysis compared working and retired patient groups to identify significant predictors of return to work.

Main Results:

• Of the 306 patients, 44.3% returned to work, 37% retired, and 18% were on sick-leave for over three months.
• Key medical factors influencing return to work included post-operative symptom relief, exercise tolerance, and completeness of revascularization.
• Significant social factors were younger age, non-manual occupation, shorter preoperative absence from work, and avoidance of heavy manual labor.

Conclusions:

• Return to work after ACBS assessment is influenced by both medical recovery and social-occupational characteristics.
• Preoperative absence from work duration is a modifiable factor, suggesting that reducing waiting times for coronary angiography and ACBS can improve return-to-work rates.