Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To determine which early modifiable factors are associated with younger stroke survivors' ability to return to paid work in a cohort study with 12-months of follow-up conducted in 20 stroke units in the Stroke Services NSW clinical network.
PARTICIPANTS
Were aged >17 and <65 years, recent (within 28 days) stroke, able to speak English sufficiently to respond to study questions, and able to provide written informed consent. Participants with language or cognitive impairment were eligible to participate if their proxy provided consent and completed assessments on the participants' behalf. The main outcome measure was return to paid work during the 12 months following stroke.
RESULTS
Of 441 consented participants (average age 52 years, 68% male, 83% with ischemic stroke), 218 were in paid full-time and 53 in paid part-time work immediately before their stroke, of whom 202 (75%) returned to paid part- or full-time work within 12 months. Being male, female without a prior activity restricting illness, younger, independent in activities of daily living (ADL) at 28 days after stroke, and having private health insurance was associated with return to paid work, following adjustment for other illnesses and a history of depression before stroke (C statistic 0·81). Work stress and post stroke depression showed no such independent association.
CONCLUSIONS
Given that independence in ADL is the strongest predictor of return to paid work within 12 months of stroke, these data reinforce the importance of reducing stroke-related disability and increasing independence for younger stroke survivors.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZCTRN 12608000459325.

Links

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Authors

Hackett ML, Glozier N, Jan S, Lindley R

Institution

Neurological and Mental Health Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. mhackett@george.org.au

Source

PloS one 7:7 2012 pg e41795

MeSH

Adolescent
Adult
Cohort Studies
Employment
Female
Humans
Income
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Stroke
Time Factors
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22848610