Return to work after spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To describe predictors of return to work after spinal cord injury (SCI), in particular the physical intensity of the pre-injury job.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
Patients' home.


METHODS
We interviewed 234 persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI) between 18 and 65 years of age and who were gainfully employed at the time of the injury. Possible predictors were tested with logistic regression analyses.


RESULTS
After the SCI, only 37% of the persons were gainfully employed. People with heavy and strenuous physical work pre-injury regained work in only 25%, respectively 21%. Being male (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.70), light to moderate physical job pre-injury (OR 3.16), high Barthel Index (OR 2.76), high educational level (OR 2.12) and education post-injury (OR 2.14) were significant predictors for returning to gainful work after injury. Many unemployed persons thought they were capable of working.


CONCLUSIONS
Only a minority returned to gainful employment after SCI even to a physically less demanding job. In addition to intensive inpatient re-education, long-term support in job seeking is very important, including switching to a less demanding job.
Tomassen
P C
PC
Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Post
M W
MW
van Asbeck
F W
FW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*