Return to Work and Associated Factors of Patients Diagnosed with Stroke in Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital

Abstract

Stroke is one of the public health concerns. Stroke can happen to anyone at any age. The number of stroke patients is increasing all over the world. Returning to work (RTW) is an important indicator of recovery for stroke patients and has a significant impact on subjective well-being and life satisfaction. The aim of this study was to explore the return to work rate and factors affecting return to work in 12-month follow-up stroke patients. The population of the study was 114 stroke patients whose ages ranged from 18 to 60 years old, hospitalized in Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Baseline characteristics, return to work and other factors were collected through medical records and telephone interviews. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics with Fischer’s exact and multiple logistic regression. The results showed that the return to work rate in 12 months was 73.7%. Most of them return to work at day 30. Independency at discharge (in the modified Rankin Scale) and lower NIHSS score (mild stroke and mild to moderate stroke) were significant risk factors for RTW after 1 year with adjusted odds ratio 9.34 (95% CI = 1.91-45.81), 49.35 (95% CI = 22.80-870.42) and 27.72 (95% CI = 1.80-425.76), respectively. Other factors like white collar and higher income increased the probability of return to work when compared with blue collar and lower income respectively but no statistically significant. In conclusion, personal factors, treatment factors and work-related factors were associated with return to work. These factors should be concerned for patient care to return to work. This knowledge can contribute to more individualized vocational rehabilitation.