Work activity and ability in ageing patients suffering from chronic cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate work activity and ability in ageing patients with a coronary heart disease (CHD) or hypertension (H). Methods 766 CHD/H patients aged 45 or more and 225 healthy young workers were evaluated by questionnaires. The Work Ability Index (WAI), European Foundation for Working Conditions Improvement Check List for measuring psychosocial work load, and an additional questionnaire to assess extra-occupational factors were used as tools. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA. Results 46.6% CHD/H patients were active professionally. In patients, WAI results ranged from 15 to 46, in the control group—from 26 to 49 . WAI results in H patients were higher than in CHD patients ( p<0.05). Better work ability in patients was related to better education ( p<0.01) and white-collar work ( p<0.01). Regarding psychosocial work load differences of WAI between patients and the control group were statistically significant ( p<0.05) . Work ability was supported: in patients by the economic factor ( β=−0.258) and recreation ( β=−0.131), in a control group: by family life ( β=−0.229) and the economic factor ( β=−0.162). Conclusion Workers with H/CHD require intensive collaborative support from both occupational health and work organisation professionals.