title: Multivariable Prediction of Return to Work at 6-Month Follow-Up in Patients With Mild to Moderate Acute Stroke.
abstract: To investigate predictors of return to work (RTW) in a poststroke sample.
  
  
  
  Retrospective investigation of archival data from an inception cohort; acute care records and 6-month follow-up telephone interview data were obtained for analysis.
  
  
  
  The Brain Recovery Core, a collaborative interinstitutional endeavor among an academic medical center, an acute care hospital, and a rehabilitation center.
  
  
  
  Data from patients with stroke from the Brain Recovery Core (N=298). Excluded cases included those with nontraditional and/or nonpaid job status, no National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and an NIHSS score >16. Our final sample included 244 individuals (age range, 25-87y).
  
  
  
  Not applicable.
  
  
  
  Sociodemographic variables, stroke severity (NIHSS), and physical and neurocognitive measures.
  
  
  
  Adding predictor variables to our logistic regression model increased accuracy by approximately 18%. Greater independence in the FIM sit-to-stand movement predicted improved RTW rates (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-3.1), whereas nonwhite race (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.16-5.47) and greater impairment on the NIHSS (OR, .88; 95% CI, .77-.99) predicted attenuated RTW rates.
  
  
  
  Valid measures of stroke severity and a clinician-rated sit-to-stand movement have utility in the acute prediction of later RTW in patients with mild to moderate stroke. Given the complexity of the RTW construct and the acute measurement of these variables, we believe that our findings can be used to inform clinical decisions and appropriately tailor rehabilitative strategies that improve quality of life for stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO; Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO. Electronic address: rvanpatt@slu.edu.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van Patten
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Zachary C
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Merz
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Kyler
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mulhauser
authors.affiliation: Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fucetola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062707:Return to Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices
keywords: Rehabilitation; Return to work