Predictors of return to work following carotid endarterectomy.
BACKGROUND
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is an important part of secondary prevention in selected patients following a transient ischaemic attack or stroke. A key marker of success, return to work following surgery, was assessed in a retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Patients from the UK aged less than 65 years at operation were sent a questionnaire concerning return to work after CEA. Data were analysed using univariable tests and logistic regression.


RESULTS
Some 174 (64.4 per cent) of 270 patients responded; their median age was 60 (range 35-64) years and 124 were men. Seventy-five per cent of respondents employed preoperatively returned to work following CEA. Newly retiring patients were older (62 versus 58 years; P < 0.001). Univariable analysis confirmed that age and preoperative stroke influenced return to work. The adjusted odds ratio for patients with versus without a preoperative stroke was 0.46 (95 per cent confidence interval 0.22 to 0.97) (P = 0.040). Median convalescence was 4 weeks, but was shorter in the self-employed (P = 0.039) and prolonged in patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease (P = 0.023) and those who required postoperative critical care (P = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
Return to work following CEA was influenced by age and preoperative stroke.
Vohra
R S
RS
Leeds Vascular Institute, General Infirmary at Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Coughlin
P A
PA
McShane
P
P
Bains
M
M
Laughlan
K A
KA
Gough
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D004651:Employment; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome