Return to Work and Associated Factors After the First Hospitalization for Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a public health problem worldwide. Employment is vital in terms of personal, social, and economic aspects for patients with chronic diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate returning to work and the associated factors after first hospitalization for HF in working- age patients.

In this retrospective cohort study, patients with the first hospitalization for HF in 2017-2020 who were employed before hospitalization were included. The demographic, occupational, and disease-related variables were compared in subjects with and without returning to work. Next, the relationship between the variables and the number of days off work was examined in participants who had returned to work.

The data of 204 participants were analyzed. About 90% of the participants returned to work after one year. There was a significant relationship between not returning to work and higher age, female sex, higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, Ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 40%, and history of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Among the participants who had returned to work, income level, cause of work exit, employer support, and the number of rehabilitation sessions had a significant relationship with the number of days off work.

The results of this study showed that gender, age, EF level, history of CKD, and NHYA class were the most influential factors in returning to work after first HF hospitalization. Furthermore, income, cause of work exit, employer support, and the number of rehabilitation sessions were the most important factors contributing to the number of days off work.