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[Prognosis of return to work after streptokinase-treated acute myocardial infarction]
J H Christensen1, L Ravn, S E Rasmussen
1Kardiologisk afdeling, Aalborg Sygehus Syd.
Insights
Thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase did not improve return to work 18 months after myocardial infarction. This study found no significant difference in employment status between treated and untreated patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Occupational Medicine
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.
- The long-term effect of thrombolytic therapy on return to work remains an important clinical question.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of thrombolytic therapy (streptokinase) on return to work 18 months after a first myocardial infarction.
- To compare the working status of patients treated with streptokinase versus those who did not receive this therapy.
Main Methods:
- Historical cohort study design.
- Comparison of 32 patients treated with streptokinase against 30 control patients not treated with streptokinase.
- Patients experienced chest pain <6 hours duration and had ECG changes consistent with acute MI; groups were comparable on medical and educational variables.
Main Results:
- 17 patients (53%) in the streptokinase group and 16 patients (53%) in the control group had stopped working 18 months post-MI.
- No significant association was found between thrombolytic therapy and working status (relative risk = 1.0).
- This lack of association persisted after correction for deaths and age-related retirements.
Conclusions:
- This study did not demonstrate a beneficial effect of thrombolytic therapy on return to work 18 months after an initial myocardial infarction.
- Streptokinase treatment did not appear to improve the likelihood of patients resuming employment after their first heart attack.
Abstract:
In order to assess the impact of thrombolytic therapy on return to work 18 months after a first myocardial infarction 32 patients treated with streptokinase were compared to 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. 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 18 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 18 months after an initial myocardial infarction.