Work participation in Q-fever patients and patients with Legionnaires' disease: a 12-month cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess long-term work participation of Q-fever patients and patients with Legionnaires' disease, and to identify which factors are associated with a reduced work participation in Q-fever patients.


METHODS
Q-fever patients participated at four time points until 12 months after onset of illness, patients with Legionnaires' disease only at 12 months. Data were self-reported using questionnaires on the amount of hours that patients worked, and on socio-demographic, medical, psychosocial and lifestyle aspects.


RESULTS
Our study included 336 Q-fever patients and 190 patients with Legionnaires' disease. There was a decrease in the proportion of Q-fever patients with reduced work participation over time, from 45% at 3 months to 19% at 12 months (versus 15% of patients with Legionnaires' disease at 12 months). Factors associated with reduced work participation of Q-fever patients in a multivariate model were having symptoms, a higher level of sorrow, being a former smoker (compared to never smoking), not consuming any alcohol and following additional treatment for the long-term health effects of Q-fever.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite an increase in work participation of Q-fever patients over time, almost one in five Q-fever patients and one in six patients with Legionnaires' disease still suffer from reduced work participation at 12 months. Occupational and insurance physicians need to be aware of the long-term impact of these diseases on work participation.
Academic Collaborative Centre AMPHI, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands joris.vanloenhout@radboudumc.nl.
Joris A F
JA
Van Loenhout
Academic Collaborative Centre AMPHI, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
Jeannine L A
JL
Hautvast
Academic Collaborative Centre AMPHI, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
Reinier P
RP
Akkermans
Occupational Health, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
Nathalie C G M
NC
Donders
Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
Jan H
JH
Vercoulen
Academic Collaborative Centre AMPHI, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, the Netherlands.
W John
WJ
Paget
Academic Collaborative Centre AMPHI, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
Koos
K
van der Velden
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011778:Q Fever; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013997:Time Factors; D014937:Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
Coxiella burnetii; Legionella pneumophila; Legionnaires’ disease; Q-fever; psychosocial factors; symptoms; work participation