RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Association of imbalance between job workload and functional ability with return to work in ARDS survivors
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP thoraxjnl-2020-216586
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216586
A1 Han Su
A1 Ramona O Hopkins
A1 Biren B Kamdar
A1 Susanne May
A1 Victor D Dinglas
A1 Kurt L Johnson
A1 Megan Hosey
A1 Catherine L Hough
A1 Dale M Needham
A1 Hilaire J Thompson
YR 2021
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/05/13/thoraxjnl-2020-216586.abstract
AB Background Inability to return to work (RTW) is common after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Mismatch in an individual’s job workload and his or her functional ability, termed work ability imbalance, is negatively associated with RTW, but has not been evaluated in ARDS survivors.Object We examine associations between work ability imbalance at 6 months and RTW at 6 months and 12 months, as well as the ability to sustain employment in ARDS survivors.Methods Previously employed participants from the ARDS Network Long-Term Outcomes Study (N=341) were evaluated. Pre-ARDS workload was determined based on the US Occupational Information Network classification. Post-ARDS functional ability was assessed using self-reported 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical functioning, social functioning and mental health subscales, and Mini-Mental State Examination. ARDS survivors were categorised into four work ability imbalance categories: none, psychosocial, physical, and both psychosocial and physical.Results Almost 90% of ARDS survivors had a physical and/or psychosocial work ability imbalance at both 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Compared with survivors with no imbalance at 6 months, those with both physical and psychosocial imbalance had lower odds of RTW (6 months: OR=0.33, 95% CI=0.13 to 0.82; 12 months: OR=0.22, 95% CI=0.07 to 0.65). Thirty-eight (19%) of those who ever RTW were subsequently jobless at 12 months.Conclusion Interventions aimed at rebalancing ARDS survivors’ work ability by addressing physical and psychosocial aspects of their functional ability and workload should be explored as part of efforts to improve RTW, maintain employment and reduce the financial impact of joblessness.Data are available upon reasonable request.