Employment status three years after percutaneous coronary intervention – a nationwide prospective cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background Return to work plays an important part in social readjustment after an acute coronary event, and has important implications for both the individual and the society. Updated knowledge is lacking regarding losng-term employment after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Aims The aims of this study were to determine employment status three years after PCI and to assess predictors for return to work stratified by gender. Methods We included first-time PCI patients from the NorStent Trial, who were of working age (<60 years; n=2488) at a three-year follow-up. Employment status were assessed using self-report. Results Fifty-seven percent of females and 73% of males who were <60 years of age at the index event were employed at follow-up (p<0.001). Living with a partner, higher levels of education, and living in the western part of Norway were associated with a higher chance of being employed in males, while higher levels of education were associated with a higher chance of being employed in females. Prior cardiovascular morbidity and former smoking were associated with lower chance of being employed in males, while being older was associated with lower chance of being employed in females. Conclusion A significant number of working-age coronary heart disease patients are unemployed three years after coronary revascularization. Our findings indicate a need for revised and gender specific initiatives to promote vocational support. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): The Northern Norway Regional Health Authority