Sara Paltrinieri1, Massimo Vicentini2, Elisa Mazzini3, Elena Ricchi1, Stefania Fugazzaro1, Pamela Mancuso2, Paolo Giorgi Rossi2, Stefania Costi4,5. 1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy. 2. Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy. 3. Medical Directorate, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Umberto I 50, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy. 4. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy. stefania.costi@unimore.it. 5. Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Viale Umberto I 50, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy. stefania.costi@unimore.it.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Little is known about return to work (RTW) of cancer survivors (CSs) in Central and Southern Europe. This study investigates the RTW rate of Italian CSs, describes their sick leave (SL) pattern, and explores factors affecting their RTW process. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey involving CSs registered at the Cancer Registry of Reggio Emilia Province (Italy) was launched in July 2016. Eligibility was restricted to individuals with first diagnosis of cancer in 2012 (stages I-III), aged 20-59, and employed at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 266 individuals interviewed, 140 (52.6%) were reintegrated without difficulty, 113 (42.5%) returned to work with some difficulty, and 13 did not RTW (4.9%). The majority of CSs (56%) took SL for some periods during treatment. Age > 50 years and higher income seemed to facilitate RTW (RR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.88 and RR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.54-0.97, respectively), while being divorced acted as a barrier compared to being married (RR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.04-2.01). Individuals uncertain about the type of company they were working for reported greater difficulty in RTW (RR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.03-2.72). Individuals who had undergone chemotherapy and those perceiving physical limitations had a higher risk of difficulty in the RTW process (RR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.42-2.24 and RR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.25-2.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most CSs did RTW, with 2/3 combining work and treatment. However, almost half reported difficulty in RTW process. Factors affecting this process should be addressed throughout context-specific social and healthcare pathways aimed at preventing difficulties and potential job loss in this population.
PURPOSE: Little is known about return to work (RTW) of cancer survivors (CSs) in Central and Southern Europe. This study investigates the RTW rate of Italian CSs, describes their sick leave (SL) pattern, and explores factors affecting their RTW process. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey involving CSs registered at the Cancer Registry of Reggio Emilia Province (Italy) was launched in July 2016. Eligibility was restricted to individuals with first diagnosis of cancer in 2012 (stages I-III), aged 20-59, and employed at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 266 individuals interviewed, 140 (52.6%) were reintegrated without difficulty, 113 (42.5%) returned to work with some difficulty, and 13 did not RTW (4.9%). The majority of CSs (56%) took SL for some periods during treatment. Age > 50 years and higher income seemed to facilitate RTW (RR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.88 and RR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.54-0.97, respectively), while being divorced acted as a barrier compared to being married (RR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.04-2.01). Individuals uncertain about the type of company they were working for reported greater difficulty in RTW (RR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.03-2.72). Individuals who had undergone chemotherapy and those perceiving physical limitations had a higher risk of difficulty in the RTW process (RR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.42-2.24 and RR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.25-2.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most CSs did RTW, with 2/3 combining work and treatment. However, almost half reported difficulty in RTW process. Factors affecting this process should be addressed throughout context-specific social and healthcare pathways aimed at preventing difficulties and potential job loss in this population.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cancer survivors; Epidemiology; Europe; Rehabilitation; Return to work; Sick leave
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