title: Assessment of the length of sick leave in patients with ischemic heart disease.
abstract: The prevalence of ischemic heart disease is high. Few recent studies have investigated the periods of sick leave of these patients. Our aim is to determine the length of sick leave after an acute coronary syndrome, its costs, associated factors and to assess the use of antidepressants and/or anxiolytics.
  
  
  
  An observational study of a retrospective cohort of patients on sick leave due to ischemic heart disease in a health region between 2008-2011, with follow-up until the first return to work, death, or end of the study (31/12/2012).
  
  
  
  length of sick leave, sociodemographic variables and medical prescriptions.
  
  
  
  Four hundred and ninety-seven patients (mean age 53 years, 90.7% male), diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (60%), angina pectoris (20.7%) or chronic form of ischemic heart disease (19.1%). Thirty-seven per cent of patients took anxiolytics the year after diagnosis and 15% took antidepressants. The average duration of sick leave was 177 days (95% CI: 163-191 days). Patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction returned to work after a mean of 192 days, compared to 128 days in cases with angina pectoris. Patients who took antidepressants during the year after diagnosis returned to work after a mean of 240 days. The mean work productivity loss was estimated to be 9,673 euros/person.
  
  
  
  The mean duration of sick leave due to ischemic heart disease was almost six months. Consumption of psychotropic medication doubled after the event. Older age, suffering an acute myocardial infarction and taking antidepressants were associated with a longer sick leave period.
authors.affiliation: ABS Eixample, Institut Català de la Salut, Balmes avenue, 4, 25006, Lleida, Spain. ncatala@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nausica
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Català Tella
authors.affiliation: ABS Eixample, Institut Català de la Salut, Balmes avenue, 4, 25006, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serna Arnaiz
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Lleida, Spain.|Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Real Gatius
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Oriol
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yuguero Torres
authors.affiliation: Departament Català de la Salut, Servicio de farmacia, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galván Santiago
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000367:Age Factors; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Acute myocardial ischemia; Anxiety/depression; Coronary heart disease; Cost; Ischemic heart disease; Sick leave