title: Re-initiating professional working activity after myocardial infarction in primary percutaneous coronary intervention networks era.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the aspects of return to work, socio-economic and quality of life aspects in 145 employed patients under 60 years of age treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
  
  
  METHODS
  During hospital treatment demographic and clinical data was collected. Data about major adverse cardiovascular events, rehabilitation, sick leave, discharge from job and retirement, salary, major life events and estimation of quality of life after myocardial infarction were obtained after follow-up (mean: 836±242 days).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average sick leave was 126±125 days. Following myocardial infarction, 3.4% of patients were discharged from their jobs while 31.7% retired. Lower salary was reported in 17.9% patients, major life events in 9.7%, while 40.7% estimated quality of life as worse following the event. Longer hospitalization was reported in patients transferred from surrounding counties, those with inferior myocardial wall and right coronary artery affected. Age, hyperlipoproteinemia and lower education degree were connected to permanent working cessation. Significant salary decrease was observed in male patients. Employer type was related to sick leave duration. Impaired quality of life was observed in patients who underwent in-hospital rehabilitation and those from surrounding counties. Longer sick leave was observed in patients with lower income before and after myocardial infarction. These patients reported lower quality of life after myocardial infarction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inadequate health policy and delayed cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction may lead to prolonged hospitalization and sick leave as well as lower quality of life after the event, regardless of optimal treatment in acute phase of disease.
authors: Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit).
authors: Zdravko
authors: Z
authors: Babić
authors: Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit). marin.pavlov@gmail.com.
authors: Marin
authors: M
authors: Pavlov
authors: Zabok General Hospital, Zabok, Croatia (Department of Internal Medicine).
authors: Mirjana
authors: M
authors: Oštrić
authors: University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia (School of Medicine).
authors: Milan
authors: M
authors: Milošević
authors: University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia (Faculty of Kinesiology).
authors: Marjeta
authors: M
authors: Misigoj Duraković
authors: Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia (Department for Invasive Cardiac Care).
authors: Hrvoje
authors: H
authors: Pintarić
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D062707:Return to Work; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: cardiac rehabilitation; myocardial infarction; patient transfer; percutaneous coronary intervention; quality of life; return to work