[Return to work after cardiologic rehabilitation].
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the present study were to determine prospectively return to work and its predictors in patients after cardiac rehabilitation.


METHODS
Patients were enrolled at admission to inpatient cardiac rehabilitation centres (n = 18). Primary indications for admission were myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.


RESULTS
We included 2441 consecutive patients (1907 men, mean age: 60 +/- 10 years; 534 women, mean age: 65 +/- 10 years). A total of 43% of all patients had been actively employed before the event. Of these patients, 65% had returned to work six months and 67% 12 months after cardiac rehabilitation. Successful return to work after 12 months was significantly predicted by younger age, non-manual work, self-employment, a higher physical and mental quality of life, and a better exercise ECG result.


CONCLUSIONS
Return to work is predicted by sociodemographic factors, quality of life, and the exercise ECG at the rehabilitation centre. The determination of early predictors for return to work may aid to identify patients particularly at risk for failure to return to work.
Müller-Nordhorn
Jacqueline
J
Institut für Sozialmedizin, Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsökonomie, Universitätsklinikum Charité, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. jacqueline.mueller-nordhorn@charite.de
Gehring
Jürgen
J
Kulig
Michael
M
Binting
Sylvia
S
Klein
Gernot
G
Gohlke
Helmut
H
Völler
Helnz
H
Bestehorn
Kurt
K
Krobot
Karl J
KJ
Willich
Stefan N
SN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational