Post-stroke fatigue and return to work: a 2-year follow-up

Acta Neurol Scand. 2012 Apr;125(4):248-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2011.01557.x. Epub 2011 Jun 21.

Abstract

Background: Post-stroke fatigue may affect the ability to return to work but quantitative studies are lacking.

Method: We included 83 first-ever stroke patients <60 years and employed either full-time (n = 77) or part-time (n = 6) at baseline. The patients were recruited from stroke units at Aarhus University Hospital between 2003 and 2005 and were followed for 2 years. Fatigue was assessed by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Pathological fatigue was defined as a score ≥12 on the General Fatigue dimension. Return to paid work was defined as working at least 10 h per week. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results: A total of 58% of patients had returned to paid work after 2 years. The adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) for returning to paid work was 0.39 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16-1.08) for patients with a General Fatigue score ≥12 at baseline. Persisting pathological fatigue after 2 years of follow-up was associated with a lower chance of returning to paid work [adjusted OR 0.29 (95% CI 0.11-0.74)]. Higher scores of General Fatigue at follow-up also correlated negatively with the chance of returning to paid work when analyzing fatigue on a continuous scale (adjusted OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.94 for each point increase in General Fatigue).

Conclusions: Post-stroke fatigue appears to be an independent determinant of not being able to resume paid work following stroke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Causality
  • Comorbidity
  • Employment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Fatigue / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Recovery of Function*
  • Stroke / epidemiology*
  • Stroke Rehabilitation
  • Work / statistics & numerical data*
  • Work Capacity Evaluation*