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The effect of streptokinase on return to work 18 months after a first myocardial infarction
J H Christensen1, L Ravn, S E Rasmussen
1Department of Cardiology, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark.
Insights
Thrombolytic therapy, like streptokinase, did not improve return to work rates 18 months after a first myocardial infarction. This study found no significant difference in employment status between treated and untreated patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) significantly impacts patients' ability to return to work.
- Thrombolytic therapy aims to restore blood flow, potentially improving recovery and functional status post-MI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effect of thrombolytic therapy (streptokinase) on return to work 18 months after a first myocardial infarction.
- To determine if streptokinase treatment influences employment status in post-MI patients.
Main Methods:
- Historical cohort study comparing 32 patients treated with streptokinase to 30 untreated controls.
- Patients selected had recent MI with chest pain < 6 hours and consistent ECG changes.
- Groups were matched for medical variables and educational level.
Main Results:
- After 18 months, 53% of the streptokinase group and 53% of the control group had stopped working.
- No statistically significant association was found between thrombolytic therapy and working status (relative risk = 1.0).
- Adjusting for deaths and age-related retirements did not alter the findings.
Conclusions:
- This study did not demonstrate a beneficial effect of thrombolytic therapy on return to work 18 months post-myocardial infarction.
- Streptokinase treatment did not appear to improve the likelihood of patients resuming work after their initial MI.
Abstract:
In order to assess the impact of thrombolytic therapy on return to work eighteen months after a first myocardial infarction, 32 patients treated with streptokinase were compared with 30 patients not treated with streptokinase. The study was designed as a historical cohort study. The patients in both groups had continuous chest pain of less than six hours prior to admission and electrocardiographic changes consistent with acute myocardial infarction (MI). The two groups were comparable with respect to medical variables related to their myocardial infarction and to educational level. A total of 17 patients (53%) in the streptokinase group and 16 (53%) among controls had stopped working eighteen months after their MI. An association between the treatment and the working status could not be found (relative risk = 1.0) nor could it be found if the figures were corrected for deaths and retirements because of age. In conclusion, this study could not demonstrate any beneficial effect of thrombolytic therapy on the return to work eighteen months after an initial myocardial infarction.