Assessment of the length of sick leave in patients with ischemic heart disease

Abstract

BackgroundThe 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.MethodsAn 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). Measurements: length of sick leave, sociodemographic variables and medical prescriptions.ResultsFour 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.ConclusionsThe 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.

Lost productivity among military personnel with cardiovascular disease

“…This is similar to other comparable studies 17. Tella et al ’s study reported that the average of lost productivity—measured by valuing sick leave—for a patient with ischaemic heart disease is €9673 per person for 4 years (average €604 per person for 3 months) 18. One of the likely reasons for the difference between studies lies in the different characteristics of the study population and different methods for measuring productivity loss.…”

Return to work and associations with psychosocial well-being and health-related quality of life in coronary heart disease patients: Results from EUROASPIRE IV

“…As with previous studies, 10,12,15,23,24,27 CHD patients who returned to work were younger and highly educated. Patients < 50 years were three times more likely to RTW, while for patients of 50–58 years the odds were about twice as high.…”

“…Multiple studies 10,13,15,27 have reported the beneficial effect of education on RTW. High education is often accompanied by better socio-economic status, more physically favourable work conditions but often high stress levels and sedentary conditions.…”

The importance of return to work: How to achieve optimal reintegration in ACS patients

“…8 Cardiac events increase the risk of poorer professional conditions including reduced responsible area, part-time employment, lower salary and discharge from jobs with an exemplary mean productivity loss (for example in Spain) of €9673 per person in the index event year (considering the cost per day not worked at €54.65 as the minimum wage). 9…”