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[Quality of life of patients after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer].

Quality of life of 79 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer and survived more than one year was evaluated by a questionnaire method. About 90% of patients had a good appetite, taking ordinary solid foods, and 69% were satisfied with the daily amount of foods. About 40% of patients complained of passage disturbance on swallowing, abdominal pain or diarrhea after meal. Fifty seven per cent of patients had frequent episodes of cough and sputum, and 20% were not able to go up the stairs to the third floor because of short breath. Thirty two per cent of patients with recurrent nerve paresis and even 5% without paresis had a trouble in daily conversation. These physical distresses were thought to be useful indicators for the doctor to evaluate the quality of life of patients. Additionally, about 30% of patients had a tendency of mental depression postoperatively. Fifty six per cent of patients who had worked before operation returned to work or were doing a lighter work than before. The psychological factor and social rehabilitation were suggested to be very important, when evaluated from the patient's side. Especially in case of aggressive surgery for esophageal cancer, postoperative quality of life of patients should be carefully considered from the viewpoints of both the patient and doctor.

Aged↗

Results of reoperations for coronary artery disease.

Seventy-one patients undergoing reoperation for coronary artery disease were examined on average 2.5 years postoperatively. Operative mortality was 9.9% and late mortality 6.3%. 88% of the patients improved subjectively, and although only 7.8% were angina-free, 79.9% were in NYHA Class I or II. All patients who had been working before reoperation returned to work, and either patients who were on sick-leave before resumed their activities. A follow-up examination was performed in 21 patients with a follow-up time of more than three years. The mean peak work capacity did not change after reoperation and also the ST changes during the bicycle ergometer exercise test were the same after reoperation. The mean ejection fraction diminished from 54 +/- 15.5% to 44.7 +/- 15.2%. In thallium perfusion studies areas of hypoperfusion were observed in 14 cases (67%). Coronary angiograms showed 3.0 +/- 1.0 patent anastomoses at the follow-up examination; 76% of the anastomoses performed in the reoperations were patent. It can be concluded that although the objective results of repeat myocardial revascularisation in this material are not optimal, the subjective improvement of the patients was satisfactory, and in the majority of cases reoperation ensures an acceptable quality of life for years.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

Treatment of moderate mitral regurgitation and coronary disease by coronary bypass alone.

We have favored treatment of moderate mitral regurgitation and coronary disease with coronary bypass alone because of the high operative mortality of combined mitral valve replacement and coronary bypass. Between 1977 and 1983, coronary bypass alone was performed on 58 patients (mean age 63 +/- 8 years). Preoperatively, 90% had Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III or IV angina, and 10% had class III or IV congestive heart failure. In 72% mitral regurgitation had been caused by coronary disease. Hospital mortality was 3.4% (2/58). At follow-up (100% complete, mean 4.3 years) 66% of survivors were functional classes I and II (compared with 7% preoperatively, p less than 0.0001). Of those patients who worked preoperatively, 84% returned to work. There were no reoperations. The 5-year survival was 77%. In the same period combined mitral valve replacement and coronary bypass was required in 20 unmatched patients with moderate mitral regurgitation and coronary disease. Indications for valve replacement included congestive heart failure (10 cases), high left atrial pressure (three cases), and mitral stenosis (four cases). In these patients with more advanced symptoms the hospital mortality was 25%, and the 5-year survival was 31%. Treatment of moderate mitral regurgitation and coronary disease by coronary bypass alone achieved excellent hospital survival and long-term functional stability without a subsequent valve operation.

Aged↗

[Integrated occupational work capacity evaluation in medical rehabilitation--experiences and prospects exemplified by psychosomatic rehabilitation].

Psychosomatic rehabilitation is often initiated when lasting work disability, loss of job, and pension application have occurred. After a review of the relevance of vocational strains and of predictors for reintegration, we present a model of an integrated work hardening programme in Psychosomatic Rehabilitation. Results for 64 patients are illustrated by case vignettes. Especially when lasting work disability and unemployment have undermined the patients' sense of competence and endurance, work hardening promotes return to work, realistic self-appraisal and vocational reorientation. The social and medical assessment and the coordination of vocational rehabilitation measures are improved. The implementation of a work hardening programme requires the provision of a variety of (unpaid) work opportunities, independent assessment of work performance by supervisors and social worker, psychological support and close cooperation with rehabilitation services.

Adolescent↗

Modified work: prevalence and characteristics in a sample of workers with soft-tissue injuries.

Modified-work programs are designed to facilitate the return to work for employees with a work-related injury. Although extensive published literature exists that describes and evaluates "ideal" programs, to date there is a paucity of data describing practice. To address this pertinent issue, we administered a survey to a large sample of 1833 workers with soft-tissue injuries in Ontario, Canada, and asked them detailed questions about modified work and employer contact. Our results reveal that most workers (66%) were contacted by someone from their workplace to check on how they were doing. However, only a minority (36%) were offered arrangements by their employer to help them return to work after developing a work-related soft-tissue injury. Most arrangements that were offered to injured workers consisted of such temporary modifications as reduced hours (24%), flexible work hours (25%), or a lighter job (57%) rather than more permanent changes to the way that work is conducted, such as changes to the work layout or equipment (8%). Merely being contacted by the workplace to check on how the worker was doing was not associated with reduced compensation benefit duration. Workplace offers of arrangements to help the worker return to work were associated with reduced compensation benefit duration but were not statistically associated with workers' pain grade.

Disability Evaluation↗

Graded activity for low back pain in occupational health care: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a common medical and social problem frequently associated with disability and absence from work. However, data on effective return to work after interventions for low back pain are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a behavior-oriented graded activity program compared with usual care. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Occupational health services department of an airline company in the Netherlands. PATIENTS: 134 workers who were absent from work because of low back pain were randomly assigned to either graded activity (n = 67) or usual care (n = 67). INTERVENTION: Graded activity, a physical exercise program based on operant-conditioning behavioral principles, to stimulate a rapid return to work. MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes were the number of days of absence from work because of low back pain, functional status (Roland Disability Questionnaire), and severity of pain (11-point numerical scale). RESULTS: The median number of days of absence from work over 6 months of follow-up was 58 days in the graded activity group and 87 days in the usual care group. From randomization onward, graded activity was effective after 50 days of absence from work (hazard ratio, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.2 to 3.2]; P = 0.009). The graded activity group was more effective in improving functional status and pain than the usual care group. The effects, however, were small and not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Graded activity was more effective than usual care in reducing the number of days of absence from work because of low back pain.

Absenteeism↗

Reemployment following implantation of the automatic cardioverter defibrillator.

One hundred one patients who received an implantable automatic cardioverter defibrillator (ACD) were evaluated to determine the reemployment rate and factors associated with return to work. Forty-seven were employed before ACD implantation. Their mean (+/- standard deviation) age was 53 +/- 11 years, 83% were men, 75% had coronary artery disease, 76% presented with cardiac arrest and 28% had concomitant cardiac surgery. The mean ejection fraction of these patients was 0.41 +/- 0.15. At follow-up, 29 patients (62%) had resumed work at 11 +/- 9 weeks after implantation. Those who returned to work were better educated (15 vs 11 years, p less than 0.001) and less likely to have a history of prior myocardial infarction (p less than 0.05). There were no significant differences between patients who returned to work and those who did not in terms of age, sex, race, functional class, ejection fraction, extent of coronary artery disease, reason for ACD, or concomitant surgery. Multivariate analysis revealed that level of education was the single best predictor of reemployment status. The only other factors found to add significant predictive power in a stepwise analysis were extent of coronary artery disease and marital status. The model using these 3 variables had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 72%. It was concluded that (1) most patients employed before ACD implantation are able to return to work after the procedure, and (2) nonmedical factors play an important role in the resumption of work-related activities. These findings have important quality-of-life and cost-effectiveness implications for ACD implantees.

Aged↗

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is it a conscious preference among Turkish patients with symptomatic gallstones?--prospective study.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has the advantages of early return to full daily activity, early return to work, and better cosmetic result, as well as quickly resolving pain. Yet how this information about the procedure influences a patient's attitude toward laparocopy is not known. In this study we analyzed the factors that play role in the decision-making process of patients who choose laparoscopic surgery, and we also evaluated patients' knowledge of laparoscopy and their expectations. A questionnaire was used in evaluating 98 patients suffering from symptomatic cholelithiasis scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy between January 2001 and January 2002. Females constituted 81% of the study population. Most of the patients (56%) were housewives. While 45% of the patients had an educational status of primary school degree only, 14% had graduated from a university. Forty-three patients described their level of knowledge about laparoscopy as "low" (had only heard about laparoscopy). In 61% of the patients the surgeon was the sole decision maker about the type of the operation. Almost none of the patients had a preference for the time of discharge from the hospital after surgery, and only three of the actively working patients offered a time interval for return to work. From this study we concluded that most patients have inadequate information about laparoscopic surgery, that the type of operation is dictated mostly by the surgeon, and that early discharge and early return to work are not important for many patients.

Aged↗

Outcome study: An industrial rehabilitation program.

A review of work hardening outcome research reveals a wide range of return to work statistics between 50% to 80%. Managed care issues are forcing therapy services to objectively quantify their successes to ensure a future in health care. Work Venture has been maintaining program outcome statistics since 1994. In this report, 1997 and 1998 return to work statistics are documented and compared to multiple programs. Work Venture's average annual return to gainful employment percentages for 1997 are 61.2% at 3 months and 61.8% at 6 months, and in 1998, 76.8% at 3 maonths and 76.6% at 6 months after discharge. Many factors are involved in successful return to work with workers compensation claims. Due to these factors it is difficult to compare one program's results with another. It is recommended that a uniform method of collecting and presenting data be developed to ensure valid comparison.

Journal Article↗

Determinants of disability after a work related musculetal injury.

OBJECTIVE: Musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries consume considerable resources in personal suffering, medical care, work absenteeism, and compensation benefits. Our aim was to determine specific clinical and behavioral factors that prognostically influence return to work following musculoskeletal work related injuries. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted on 148 randomly selected workers who had not returned to work in 3 months following musculoskeletal soft tissue injury. The cohort was identified from the files of the Workers' Compensation Board of Ontario, Canada. The workers were interviewed and assessed at 3, 9, 15, and 21 months after injury. The WHO Classification of Impairment, Disabilities and Handicap was used as the conceptual framework. The analysis employed a proportional hazards regression model with allowance for time dependent covariates. RESULTS: The rate of return to work for men was 1.5 times that for women, and 20% less for every 10 year increase in age. Controlling for sex and age, psychological distress and functional disability were associated with a slower rate of return to work. The rate of return to work for workers who were provided with modified jobs was 2 times higher than for those with no such accommodation in employment. CONCLUSION: The negative effect of psychological distress and functional disability on return to work rates must be considered in the design and delivery of rehabilitation programming for workers with musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. The employer's provision of a "modified job" is important in the prevention of continued disability.

Adult↗

Does maternal employment affect breast-feeding?

A prospective survey of maternal employment and breast-feeding initiation and duration was conducted among 668 Black and 511 White women who delivered their first child in Washington, DC. Ninety-one percent of White women (n = 511) and 80 percent of Black women (n = 668) reported working during pregnancy. Black women who planned to return to work part time vs full time were more likely to breast-feed rather than formula-feed (adjusted odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.4, 3.7). Using Cox regression, Black women who returned to work had a shorter duration of breast-feeding than those not returning to work (hazard ratio = 0.5 (CI = 0.3, 0.9]. Black and White women returning to professional occupations had a longer duration of breast-feeding compared to women returning to sales or technical positions (hazard ratio for Black women = 2.4 (CI = 1.4, 44); hazard ratio for White women = 1.6 (CI = 1.0, 2.5]. In addition, White women in professional occupations had a longer duration of breast-feeding than women in clerical positions (hazard ratio = 1.7 (CI = 1.1, 2.6]. Until employers in the United States develop a maternity policy which does not discourage breast-feeding, the recommended six months of breast-feeding will be difficult to achieve for most employed women.

Adult↗

Patient-perceived outcomes and return to sport and work: TKA versus mini-incision unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Few reports have been published about patient-perceived outcomes and return to sport following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). This article compares the two procedures using self-assessment questionnaires to determine whether there was a difference in patient-perceived Oxford scores, return to sport, and return to work. Patient-perceived outcomes of mini-incision UKA (Oxford; Biomet Inc, Warsaw, Ind) and TKA were retrospectively reviewed at a minimum of 12 months after surgery. A total of 150 patients underwent 183 UKAs (mean age: 71.5 years; standard deviation [SD]: 9.85) and 120 patients underwent 142 TKAs (mean age: 71.53 years; SD: 9.87). Oxford knee questionnaires were used assessing modified Grimby score, sports, and work activities. Mean Oxford knee score (22.17; SD: 9.03) for UKA was superior to TKA (24.5; SD: 9.68) (P=.04) scores. Mean modified Grimby score for UKA (3.89; SD:1.27) was superior to TKA (2.76; SD:1.12) (P<.0001). More patients returned to or increased sports following UKA (P=.0003), but no sooner than TKA patients. Patient-perceived Oxford and modified Grimby scores were better and sporting activity was greater following mini-incision UKA compared to TKA.

Adult↗

Employment status after coronary bypass operations and some cost considerations.

The occupational consequences and expenses of the bypass operation have been investigated in 100 survivors of 102 consecutive operations for coronary artery bypass grafting. There was one late death 8 months after the operation, and four patients were lost to follow-up, providing a total of 95 patients for survey. Patients were divided into four groups: I, those working before and after the operation (43); II, those working before but not after the operation (18); III, those not working before the operation who returned to work after the operation (8); IV, those not working before or after the operation (26). The four groups were analyzed for age, type of employment, severity of disease, ventricular function, incidence of perioperative infarction, graft patency, postoperative treadmill performance, and exepnses incurred. Profiles of the four groups have emerged which may have predictive value. Group I patients tend to be under age 55, self-employed in higher skill occupations, and with significant left ventricular dysfunction. Group II patients tend to be over age 55, employed in lower skill occupations, but also without significant left ventricular function. Of the 34 patients unemployed for 6 months in 24 months before the operation, 24% (eight) returned to work after the operation. The typical total bill for diagnosis and treatment was $15,000, of which insurance paid $12,000 and the patient paid $3,000.

Age Factors↗

Prediction of community integration and vocational outcome 2-5 years after traumatic brain injury rehabilitation in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To predict community integration and vocational outcomes 2-5 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Multivariate correlational design incorporating retrospective data collection and questionnaire follow-up. METHODS: Four hundred and forty six patients admitted to a Head Injury Unit between 1991 and 1995 were contacted. Data on predictor variables (demographic, injury severity and functional) were retrieved from hospital records. Community integration and vocational outcome was assessed by self-administered questionnaire. Two hundred and nine patients/carers completed and returned the questionnaires. Mean follow-up was 3.5 years. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics, multiple regression and discriminant analysis using SPSS. RESULTS: Community integration was predicted by age, disability level and cognition. Length of PTA, cognition, disability levels, GCS, functional status, length of acute stay and prior occupation discriminated those who returned to work. A total of 46.5% returned to work with 74.5% in the same or similar jobs. CONCLUSION: Long term outcomes post-TBI can be predicted by demographic, injury severity and functional status variables.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Spinal pain rehabilitation: inpatient and outpatient treatment results and development of predictors for outcome.

Multidisciplinary treatment outcomes with a 1-year follow-up is reported for 100 chronic low-back pain patients participating in inpatient rehabilitation and 100 patients participating in outpatient rehabilitation. Treatment for both groups of patients was based on principles of operant conditioning and consisted of increasing structured exercise activities and educational classes for instruction in techniques of pain management. Results are presented in terms of patient reports of decreased pain, increased activity, decreased medication, need for further treatment, and return to work. A method for predicting return to work was developed by way of a computerized discriminate analysis with the formulas presented for consideration by those interested in similar patient groups.

Adult↗

Routine follow up of major trauma patients from trauma registries: What are the outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Routine measurement of outcomes other than mortality in trauma is needed to monitor trauma care, benchmark trauma hospitals and systems, and to guide resource provision. Trauma registries are ideally placed to capture morbidity outcomes such as functional loss, disability, and handicap. This study aimed to provide a broad description of the 6-month outcomes of major trauma patients captured by a population-based trauma registry, establish the follow-up rate of registry patients, and determine any biases associated with loss to follow up. METHODS: The Victorian State Trauma Registry (VSTR) is a population-based registry in Victoria, Australia. Major trauma patients captured by the VSTR with a date of injury from October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004 were followed up at 6 months postinjury by telephone to collect information about their living status, functional levels, and return to work. RESULTS: Of the 1,102 eligible patients, 67% were successfully followed up at 6 months postinjury. Eighteen patients had died since discharge. Patients lost to follow up were less severely injured (p = 0.004) and younger (p = 0.010) at baseline than those followed up. The vast majority of major trauma patients are independent with respect to locomotion (78%), feeding (93%), and expression (93%) by 6 months postinjury. Of those working before injury, 60% had returned to work. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that follow up of registry patients is feasible, results in few biases in the follow-up population, and reports similar findings to individual studies of trauma populations.

Adolescent↗

Neurological complications of coronary artery bypass graft surgery: six month follow-up study.

As part of a major prospective study of the neurological complications of coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients were reviewed over six months to determine the clinical course and functional impact of early postoperative complications. One hundred and ninety one out of 312 (61%) patients had developed early postoperative disorders. At six months 165 of the 191 patients with early neurological complications were reviewed. Of the 165, 85 still had detectable neurological signs, but these were often minor and of little functional importance. Only 10 patients had neurological disability at six months, and this was major in only four patients, all of whom had suffered major perioperative stroke. No patient with non-disabling neurological complications in hospital became functionally impaired on returning home. Neurological disorders are not a major cause of failure to return to work by six months after coronary artery bypass surgery. Of 139 patients who were of working age and had not returned to work by six months, only four were prevented by neurological injury related to surgery. The long term prognosis for early neurological disorders after coronary artery bypass surgery is usually favourable, except in those patients who have sustained major perioperative stroke.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗