Risk factors for delayed return to work*†
| Risk factors | Total number of studies | Studies without any association, n | % | Studies with positive association, n | % |
| Pre-ICU factors | |||||
| Older age | 2 | 1 | 50 | 1 | 50 |
| Sex | 3 | 2 | 67 | 1 | 33 |
| Non-white race | 1 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| Lower education | 3 | 1 | 33 | 2 | 67 |
| Divorced | 1 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| Chronic non-psychiatric health problems | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 100 |
| Chronic psychiatric problems | 1 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| ICU factors | |||||
| Non-trauma admission | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 100 |
| Severity of Illness | 6 | 3 | 50 | 3 | 50 |
| Longer mechanical ventilation | 4 | 2 | 50 | 2 | 50 |
| Altered level of consciousness | 2 | 1 | 50 | 1 | 50 |
| Dialysis initiation | 1 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| Post-ICU factors | |||||
| Length of stay | 4 | 2 | 50 | 2 | 50 |
| Discharge to non-home location | 3 | 1 | 33 | 2 | 67 |
| Cognitive impairments | 2 | 1 | 50 | 1 | 50 |
| Functional/physical impairments | 4 | 2 | 50 | 2 | 50 |
| Mental health impairments | 5 | 1 | 20 | 4 | 80 |
| Quality of life impairments | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 100 |
*Includes all risk factors identified via univariable or multivariable analysis, with p<0.05 denoting significance. Detailed study-by-study findings provided in online supplementary eTable 5.
†Excludes one study (Longo et al 200737) suggesting delayed return to work in patients not receiving activated protein C.
ICU, intensive care unit.