Prevalence and determinants of return to work after various coronary events: meta-analysis of prospective studies

Abstract

Return to work (RTW) after a coronary event remains a major concern. This systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies published between January 1988 and August 2020, aim to evaluate the prevalence of RTW after a coronary event (myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, angina pectoris) and to assess the determinants of RTW (such as follow-up duration, date of recruitment, country, gender, occupational factors, etc.). PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines were followed. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Random-effects models were carried out to determine pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confident interval. A total of 43 prospective studies (34,964 patients) were investigated. RTW overall random effects pooled prevalence was estimated at 81.1% [95% CI 75.8–85.8]. Country, year of implementation or gender did not significantly modify the prevalence estimates. Lower level of education and degraded left ventricular ejection fraction decreased RTW prevalence estimates (respectively, 76.1% vs 85.6% and 65.3% vs 77.8%). RTW prevalence estimates were higher for white-collars (81.2% vs 65.0% for blue-collars) and people with low physical workload (78.3% vs 64.1% for elevated physical workload).Occupational physical constraints seem to have a negative role in RTW while psycho-logical factors at work are insufficiently investigated. A better understanding of the real-life working conditions influencing RTW would be useful to maintain coronary patients in the labor market.

Longitudinal Associations of Work Stress with Changes in Quality of Life among Patients after Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Hospital-Based Study

“…However, ACS may change patients’ perceptions of work stress, anxiety, depression, and job burnout throughout the follow-up period. Consequently, the latent risk of exposure misclassification due to changes of employment status and work-related stress cannot be excluded, as recent research evidence indicated that more than 80% employees would return to work after coronary events [ 62 ], and work stress might be increased afterwards [ 63 ]. For future research, it is important to conduct dynamic observations on these participants to understand the relationship between the change in patients’ work stress and CVD prognosis.…”

The Controversy of Using Insufficient Great Saphenous Veins in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Comparative Morphological Analysis of Healthy and Insufficient Veins Related to the Possibility of Using Them as a Graft

“…Major progress in the diagnosis and in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes has been made in the last decades, and a decrease in mortality has been reported in several countries [ 1 ]. However, acute coronary syndromes still are a frequent pathology worldwide.…”

Assessing the effect of cardiovascular disease on work productivity and financial loss among school teachers in Peninsular Malaysia: a nested case-control study

“…For example, teachers with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may have reduced exercise tolerance to climb stairs in schools or conduct physical education classes. Based on a meta-analysis, nearly 20% of ACS survivors did not resume work ( Kai et al, 2022 ). Up to 75% of stroke survivors struggled in controlling their hand dexterity, making it difficult for teachers to write on the board or manipulate classroom materials.…”