title: Employment after lung transplantation--a single-center cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  359 lung transplantations were performed in Germany in 2013. The main goals of lung transplantation are to prolong survival and improve the quality of life. Both of these goals can be reflected in a return to employment. We report the first study of employment after lung transplantation in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the findings of a single-center, questionnaire-based cross-sectional investigation of the social and economic situation of 531 patients (September 2009 to March 2010) and obtained 5-year follow-up data in December 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  38% of the patients were employed after lung transplantation. They took a mean of ten sick days off from work each year; they did not have infections or organ rejection any more frequently than other patients. The fiveyear follow-up data showed no difference in the overall survival rate of employed and unemployed patients. Employment was associated with a better quality of life (80% [interquartiles: 70%, 95%]) versus 75% [interquartiles: 50%, 85%], p = 0.001). Factors associated with a return to employment included a higher educational level (odds ratio [OR] 2.6, 95%confidence interval [CI] 1.7-4, p = 0.001) and better physical fitness (OR 2, 95%CI 1.3-3.2, p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of return to work after lung transplantation in Germany is similar to the rates observed in other countries. The findings of this study imply that employment improves the quality of life and does not endanger health. Thus, patients who have received lung transplants should be advised to return to work if possible.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Institute for General Practice, Hannover Medical Schoolr.
authors: Hendrik
authors: H
authors: Suhling
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Knuth
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Haverich
authors: Heidrun
authors: H
authors: Lingner
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Welte
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Gottlieb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*