Factors Associated with Returning to Work in Liver Transplantation Survivors: A Cross-sectional Study

To investigate the current state of return to work (RTW) and the influencing factors among liver transplantation (LT) survivors in China.

Cross-sectional study design, a convenience sample of 210 LT survivors aged >18 years who had LT for the first time and at least 6 months postliver transplant was selected between April and August 2023. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of RTW. The study was reported following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist.

A total of 201 LT survivors were included in the study; 109 (54.2 %) returned to work, and the median, interquartile range of their work ability index (WAI) score was 40.00 (6.00), which indicates good work ability (WA) to the work. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that light economic burden [odds ratio (OR) = 0.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.016-0.966], time passed of 1-3 years after LT (OR = 6.37, 95% CI = 1.697-23.933), willingness to RTW (OR = 15.50, 95% CI = 2.171-110.683), good psychosocial adjustment level (OR = 17.46, 95% CI = 2.290-133.044), symptom intensity (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.610-0.927), and WA (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.135-1.426) were the independent influencing factors for LT survivors returning to work.

The rate of RTW among LT survivors is relatively low and their WA is moderate. Medical staff should focus on LT survivors with poor psychosocial adjustment, poor work ability, and poor symptom experience in clinical practice. Targeted intervention programs should be designed to promote the successful RTW of LT survivors to achieve a normal life and good long-term prognosis.