P van Muijen1,2, S F A Duijts1,3, K Bonefaas-Groenewoud1,2, A J van der Beek1,2, J R Anema1,2. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Research Center for Insurance Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3. The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
Background: Workers diagnosed with cancer are at risk for job loss or work disability. Aims: To determine predictors of fatigue and work ability at 36 months after diagnosis in a population of cancer survivors. Methods: Individuals diagnosed with cancer and who applied for work disability benefit at 24 months of sick leave were surveyed at the time of application and again 12 months later. Fatigue was measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness-Fatigue scale questionnaire and work ability was measured using the work ability index. Linear regression analyses were applied to identify predictors. Results: There were 336 participants. Participants who were divorced or widowed had more physical limitations, more depressive symptoms and were more fatigued at baseline, and who worked in health care demonstrated higher levels of fatigue. Lower fatigue was predicted by having received chemotherapy. A higher level of work ability was predicted by having received chemotherapy, better global health and better work ability at baseline. Lower work ability was predicted by being principal wage earner, insecurity about being free of disease, having more physical limitations and having greater wage loss. Conclusions: Socio-demographic, health- and work-related factors were associated with fatigue and work ability in cancer survivors on long-term sick leave. As fatigue and poor work ability are important risk factors for work disability, addressing the identified predictive factors may assist in mitigation of work disability in cancer survivors.
Background: Workers diagnosed with cancer are at risk for job loss or work disability. Aims: To determine predictors of fatigue and work ability at 36 months after diagnosis in a population of cancer survivors. Methods: Individuals diagnosed with cancer and who applied for work disability benefit at 24 months of sick leave were surveyed at the time of application and again 12 months later. Fatigue was measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness-Fatigue scale questionnaire and work ability was measured using the work ability index. Linear regression analyses were applied to identify predictors. Results: There were 336 participants. Participants who were divorced or widowed had more physical limitations, more depressive symptoms and were more fatigued at baseline, and who worked in health care demonstrated higher levels of fatigue. Lower fatigue was predicted by having received chemotherapy. A higher level of work ability was predicted by having received chemotherapy, better global health and better work ability at baseline. Lower work ability was predicted by being principal wage earner, insecurity about being free of disease, having more physical limitations and having greater wage loss. Conclusions: Socio-demographic, health- and work-related factors were associated with fatigue and work ability in cancer survivors on long-term sick leave. As fatigue and poor work ability are important risk factors for work disability, addressing the identified predictive factors may assist in mitigation of work disability in cancer survivors.
Authors: Sara Paltrinieri; Massimo Vicentini; Elisa Mazzini; Elena Ricchi; Stefania Fugazzaro; Pamela Mancuso; Paolo Giorgi Rossi; Stefania Costi Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-05-25 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Roma Maguire; Lisa McCann; Grigorios Kotronoulas; Nora Kearney; Emma Ream; Jo Armes; Elisabeth Patiraki; Eileen Furlong; Patricia Fox; Alexander Gaiger; Paul McCrone; Geir Berg; Christine Miaskowkski; Antonella Cardone; Dawn Orr; Adrian Flowerday; Stylianos Katsaragakis; Andrew Darley; Simone Lubowitzki; Jenny Harris; Simon Skene; Morven Miller; Margaret Moore; Liane Lewis; Nicosha DeSouza; Peter T Donnan Journal: BMJ Date: 2021-07-21
Authors: Tom I Bootsma; Melanie P J Schellekens; Rosalie A M van Woezik; Jenny Slatman; Marije L van der Lee Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2021-05-06 Impact factor: 3.603