Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

LIVE: Thursday 2nd May 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

Quality sleep is essential for health. But what happens to our brains when sleep patterns are disturbed? Join our experts to explore the interplay between sleep disruption and neurological diseases, and the questions that you need to be asking your patients to help you prevent the harmful effects of sleep deprivation.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2/2018

01-06-2018 | Review

Common Psychosocial Factors Predicting Return to Work After Common Mental Disorders, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Cancers: A Review of Reviews Supporting a Cross-Disease Approach

Authors: Andrea Gragnano, Alessia Negrini, Massimo Miglioretti, Marc Corbière

Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation | Issue 2/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose This systematic review aimed at identifying the common psychosocial factors that facilitate or hinder the return to work (RTW) after a sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), or cancers (CAs). Methods We conducted a review of reviews searching 13 databases from 1994 to 2016 for peer-reviewed, quantitative, cohort studies investigating factors influencing RTW after a CMD, CVD, or CA. Then, for each disease we identified additional cohort studies published after the date of the latest review included. Data were extracted following a three steps best-evidence synthesis method: the extraction of results about each predictor from studies within each single review and in the additional papers; the synthesis of results across the reviews and additional papers investigating the same disease; and the synthesis of results across the diseases. Results The search strategy identified 1029 unique records from which 27 reviews and 75 additional studies underwent comprehensive review. 14 reviews and 32 additional cohort studies met eligibility criteria. Specific predictors of RTW with different levels of evidence are provided for each disease. We found four common facilitators of RTW (job control, work ability, perceived good health and high socioeconomic status), and six barriers of RTW (job strain, anxiety, depression, comorbidity, older age and low education). Conclusion This is the first review to systematically analyze commonalities in RTW after CMDs, CVDs, or CAs. The common factors identified indicate that the RTW process presents many similarities across various diseases, thus supporting the validity of a cross-disease approach.
Literature
1.
OECD. Sickness, disability and work: breaking the barriers. Paris: OECD Publishing; 2010.
2.
Institute of Medicine (IOM). The future of disability in America. Washington, DC: The National Academy Press; 2007.
3.
Kessler RC, Greenberg PE, Mickelson KD, Meneades LM, Wang PS. The effects of chronic medical conditions on work loss and work cutback. J Occup Environ Med. 2001;43(3):218–225.CrossRefPubMed
4.
5.
6.
Prins R. Sickness absence and disability: an international perspective. In: Loisel P, Anema J, editors. Handbook of work disability. New York: Springer; 2013. pp. 3–14.CrossRef
7.
8.
Public Health Agency of Canada. Economic burden of illness in Canada, 2005–2008. Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada; 2014.
9.
10.
Waddell G, Burton AK. Is work good for your health and well-being? London: TSO (The Stationery Office); 2006.
11.
Nachemson A. Work for all. For those with low back pain as well. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1983;179:77–85.CrossRef
12.
Knauf MT, Schultz IZ, Stewart AM, Gatchel RJ. Models of return to work for musculoskeletal disorders: advances in conceptualization and research. In: Schultz I, Gatchel RJ, editors. Handbook of musculoskeletal pain and disability disorders in the workplace. New York: Springer; 2014. pp. 431–452.CrossRef
13.
Costa-Black KM, Feuerstein M, Loisel P. Work disability models: past and present. In: Loisel P, Anema J, editors. Handbook of work disability. New York: Springer; 2013. pp. 71–93.CrossRef
14.
Lamé IE, Peters ML, Vlaeyen JWS, Kleef M v, Patijn J. Quality of life in chronic pain is more associated with beliefs about pain, than with pain intensity. Eur J Pain. 2005;9(1):15–24.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Chernen L, Friedman S, Goldberg N, Feit A, Kwan T, Stein R. Cardiac disease and nonorganic chest pain: factors leading to disability. Cardiology. 1995;86(1):15–21.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Young AE. Return to work following disabling occupational injury—facilitators of employment continuation. Scand J Work Environ Heal. 2010;36(6):473–483.CrossRef
17.
Young AE, Roessler RT, Wasiak R, McPherson KM, van Poppel MNM, Anema JR. A developmental conceptualization of return to work. J Occup Rehabil. 2005;15(4):557–568.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Vooijs M, Leensen MCJ, Hoving JL, Daams JG, Wind H, Frings-Dresen MHW. Disease-generic factors of work participation of workers with a chronic disease: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2015;88(8):1015–1029.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
19.
Loisel P, Anema JR, Feuerstein M, Pransky G, MacEachen E, Costa-Black KM. Preface. In: Loisel P, Anema J, editors. Handbook of work disability. New York: Springer; 2013. pp. ix–xiii.CrossRef
20.
White M, Wagner S, Schultz IZ, Murray E, Bradley SM, Hsu V, et al. Modifiable workplace risk factors contributing to workplace absence across health conditions: a stakeholder-centered best-evidence synthesis of systematic reviews. Work. 2013;45(4):1–12.
21.
Detaille SI, Heerkens YF, Engels JA, van der Gulden JW, van Dijk FJ. Common prognostic factors of work disability among employees with a chronic somatic disease: a systematic review of cohort studies. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2009;35(4):261–281.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Krause N, Frank JW, Dasinger LK, Sullivan TJ, Sinclair SJ. Determinants of duration of disability and return-to-work after work-related injury and illness: challenges for future research. Am J Ind Med. 2001;40(4):464–484.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Wagner S, White M, Schultz I, Murray E, Bradley SM, Hsu V, et al. Modifiable worker risk factors contributing to workplace absence: a stakeholder-centred best-evidence synthesis of systematic reviews. Work. 2014;49(4):541–558.PubMed
24.
Lagerveld SE, Blonk RWB, Brenninkmeijer V, Schaufeli WB. Return to work among employees with mental health problems: development and validation of a self-efficacy questionnaire. Work Stress. 2010;24(4):359–375.CrossRef
25.
Cornelius LR, van der Klink JJL, Groothoff JW, Brouwer S. Prognostic factors of long term disability due to mental disorders: a systematic review. J Occup Rehabil. 2011;21(2):259–274.CrossRefPubMed
26.
O’Neil A, Sanderson K, Oldenburg B. Depression as a predictor of work resumption following myocardial infarction (MI): a review of recent research evidence. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2010;8(1):95–105.
27.
Chow SL, Ting AS, Su TT. Development of conceptual framework to understand factors associated with return to work among cancer survivors: a systematic review. Iran J Public Health. 2014;43(4):391–405.PubMedPubMedCentral
28.
Spelten ER, Sprangers MAG, Verbeek JHAM. Factors reported to influence the return to work of cancer survivors: a literature review. Psychooncology. 2002;11(2):124–131.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Biering K, Hjollund NH, Lund T. Methods in measuring return to work: a comparison of measures of return to work following treatment of coronary heart disease. J Occup Rehabil. 2013;23(3):400–405.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Corbière M, Negrini A, Dewa C. Mental health problems and mental disorders: linked determinants to work participation and work functioning. In: Loisel P, Anema J, editors. Handbook of work disability. New York: Springer; 2013. pp. 267–288.CrossRef
31.
Slavin RE. Best evidence synthesis: an intelligent alternative to meta-analysis. J Clin Epidemiol. 1995;48(1):9–18.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Lagerveld SE, Bültmann U, Franche RL, van Dijk FJH, Vlasveld MC, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM, et al. Factors associated with work participation and work functioning in depressed workers: a systematic review. J Occup Rehabil. 2010;20(3):275–292.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
33.
Blank L, Peters J, Pickvance S, Wilford J, Macdonald E. A systematic review of the factors which predict return to work for people suffering episodes of poor mental health. J Occup Rehabil. 2008;18(1):27–34.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Perk J, Alexanderson K. Chapter 8. Sick leave due to coronary artery disease or stroke. Scand J Public Health Suppl. 2004;32(Suppl 63):181–206.CrossRef
35.
Fiabane E, Omodeo O, Argentero P, Candura SM, Giorgi I. Return to work after an acute cardiac event: the role of psychosocial factors. Prev Res. 2014;3(4):137–141.
36.
Slebus FG, Kuijer PPFM, Willems JHBM, Sluiter JK, Frings-Dresen MHW. Prognostic factors for work ability in sicklisted employees with chronic diseases. Occup Environ Med. 2007;64(12):814–819.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
37.
Van Muijen P, Weevers NLEC, Snels IAK, Duijts SFA, Bruinvels DJ, Schellart AJM, et al. Predictors of return to work and employment in cancer survivors: a systematic review. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2013;22(2):144–160.CrossRef
38.
Islam T, Dahlui M, Abd Majid H, Nahar AM, Taib NAM, Su TT, et al. Factors associated with return to work of breast cancer survivors: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2014;14(Suppl 3):S8–S20.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
39.
Mehnert A. Employment and work-related issues in cancer survivors. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2011;77(2):109–130.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Horsboel TA, De Thurah A, Nielsen B, Nielsen CV. Factors associated with work outcome for survivors from haematological malignancies—a systematic literature review. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2012;21(4):424–435.CrossRef
41.
Ekberg K, Wahlin C, Persson J, Bernfort L, Oberg B. Early and late return to work after sick leave: predictors in a cohort of sick-listed individuals with common mental disorders. J Occup Rehabil. 2015;25(3):627–637.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Ervasti J, Vahtera J, Pentti J, Oksanen T, Ahola K, Kivekas T, et al. Return to work after depression-related absence by employees with and without other health conditions: a cohort study. Psychosom Med. 2015;77(2):126–135.CrossRefPubMed
43.
Ervasti J, Vahtera J, Virtanen P, Pentti J, Oksanen T, Ahola K, et al. Is temporary employment a risk factor for work disability due to depressive disorders and delayed return to work? The Finnish Public Sector Study. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2014;40(4):343–352.CrossRefPubMed
44.
Flach PA, Groothoff JW, Krol B, Bultmann U. Factors associated with first return to work and sick leave durations in workers with common mental disorders. Eur J Public Health. 2012;22(3):440–445.CrossRefPubMed
45.
Hees HL, Koeter MWJ, Schene AH. Predictors of long-term return to work and symptom remission in sick-listed patients with major depression. J Clin Psychiatry. 2012;73(8):e1048–e1055.CrossRefPubMed
46.
Kronström K, Karlsson H, Nabi H, Oksanen T, Salo P, Sjösten N, et al. Optimism and pessimism as predictors of work disability with a diagnosis of depression: a prospective cohort study of onset and recovery. J Affect Disord. 2011;130(1–2):294–299.CrossRefPubMed
47.
Lammerts L, Schaafsma FG, Eikelenboom M, Vermeulen SJ, van Mechelen W, Anema JR, et al. Longitudinal associations between biopsychosocial factors and sustainable return to work of sick-listed workers with a depressive or anxiety disorder. J Occup Rehabil. 2016;26(1):70–79.CrossRefPubMed
48.
49.
Nielsen MBD, Bültmann U, Madsen IEH, Martin M, Christensen U, Diderichsen F, et al. Health, work, and personal-related predictors of time to return to work among employees with mental health problems. Disabil Rehabil. 2012;34(15):1311–1316.CrossRefPubMed
50.
Nielsen MBD, Madsen IEH, Bültmann U, Christensen U, Diderichsen F, Rugulies R. Predictors of return to work in employees sick-listed with mental health problems: findings from a longitudinal study. Eur J Public Health. 2011;21(6):806–811.CrossRefPubMed
51.
Nieuwenhuijsen K, Noordik E, van Dijk FJH, van der Klink JJ. Return to work perceptions and actual return to work in workers with common mental disorders. J Occup Rehabil. 2013;23(2):290–299.CrossRefPubMed
52.
Norlund S, Reuterwall C, Hoog J, Nordin M, Edlund C, Slunga Birgander L. Work related factors and sick leave after rehabilitation in burnout patients: experiences from the REST-project. J Occup Rehabil. 2011;21(1):23–30.CrossRefPubMed
53.
Riihimäki K, Vuorilehto M, Isometsä E. A 5-year prospective study of predictors for functional and work disability among primary care patients with depressive disorders. Eur Psychiatry. 2015;30(1):51–57.CrossRefPubMed
54.
da Silva-Junior JS, Fischer FM. Long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders is associated with individual features and psychosocial work conditions. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(12):e115885.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
55.
Vemer P, Bouwmans CA, Zijlstra-Vlasveld MC, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM, van Roijen LH. Let’s get back to work: survival analysis on the return-to-work after depression. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:1637–1645.PubMedPubMedCentral
56.
Biering K, Lund T, Andersen JH, Hjollund NH. Effect of psychosocial work environment on sickness absence among patients treated for ischemic heart disease. J Occup Rehabil. 2015;25(4):776–782.CrossRefPubMed
57.
de Jonge P, Zuidersma M, Bultmann U. The presence of a depressive episode predicts lower return to work rate after myocardial infarction. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2014;36(4):363–367.CrossRefPubMed
58.
Kragholm K, Wissenberg M, Mortensen RN, Fonager K, Jensen SE, Rajan S, et al. Return to work in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors: a nationwide register-based follow-up study. Circulation. 2015;131(19):1682–1690.CrossRefPubMed
59.
Laut KG, Hjort J, Engstrom T, Jensen LO, Tilsted Hansen HH, Jensen JS, et al. Impact of health care system delay in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction on return to labor market and work retirement. Am J Cardiol. 2014;114(12):1810–1816.CrossRefPubMed
60.
Osler M, Martensson S, Prescott E, Carlsen K. Impact of gender, co-morbidity and social factors on labour market affiliation after first admission for acute coronary syndrome. A cohort study of Danish patients 2001–2009. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(1):e86758.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
61.
Dreyer RP, Xu X, Zhang W, Du X, Strait KM, Bierlein M, et al. Return to work after acute myocardial infarction. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2016;9(2 Suppl 1):S45–S52.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
62.
Du CL, Cheng Y, Hwang JJ, Chen SY, Su TC. Workplace justice and psychosocial work hazards in association with return to work in male workers with coronary heart diseases: a prospective study. Int J Cardiol. 2013;166(3):745–747.CrossRefPubMed
63.
Salzwedel A, Reibis R, Wegscheider K, Eichler S, Buhlert H, Kaminski S, et al. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is predictive of return to work in cardiac patients after multicomponent rehabilitation. Clin Res Cardiol. 2016;105(3):257–267.CrossRefPubMed
64.
Böttcher HM, Steimann M, Ullrich A, Rotsch M, Zurborn K-H, Koch U, et al. Work-related predictors of not returning to work after inpatient rehabilitation in cancer patients. Acta Oncol. 2013;52(6):1067–1075.CrossRefPubMed
65.
Blinder VS, Patil S, Thind A, Diamant A, Hudis CA, Basch E, et al. Return to work in low-income Latina and non-Latina white breast cancer survivors: a 3-year longitudinal study. Cancer. 2012;118(6):1664–1674.CrossRefPubMed
66.
Cooper AF, Hankins M, Rixon L, Eaton E, Grunfeld EA. Distinct work-related, clinical and psychological factors predict return to work following treatment in four different cancer types. Psychooncology. 2013;22(3):659–667.CrossRefPubMed
67.
Endo M, Haruyama Y, Takahashi M, Nishiura C, Kojimahara N, Yamaguchi N. Returning to work after sick leave due to cancer: a 365-day cohort study of Japanese cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2016;10(2):320–329.CrossRefPubMed
68.
Gordon LG, Beesley VL, Lynch BM, Mihala G, McGrath C, Graves N, et al. The return to work experiences of middle-aged Australian workers diagnosed with colorectal cancer: a matched cohort study. BMC Public Health. 2014;14(1):963–973.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
69.
Nilsson MI, Petersson L-M, Wennman-Larsen A, Olsson M, Vaez M, Alexanderson K. Adjustment and social support at work early after breast cancer surgery and its associations with sickness absence. Psychooncology. 2013;22(12):2755–2762.CrossRefPubMed
70.
Noeres D, Park-Simon TW, Grabow J, Sperlich S, Koch-Gießelmann H, Jaunzeme J, et al. Return to work after treatment for primary breast cancer over a 6-year period: results from a prospective study comparing patients with the general population. Support Care Cancer. 2013;21(7):1901–1909.CrossRefPubMed
71.
de Boer AGEM, Taskila T, Ojajärvi A, van Dijk FJH, Verbeek JHAM. Cancer survivors and unemployment: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. JAMA. 2009;301(7):753–762.CrossRefPubMed
72.
Karasek R, Theorell T. Healthy work: stress, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life. Ann Arbor: Basic Books; 1990.
73.
Demerouti E, Bakker AB, Nachreiner F, Schaufeli WB. The job demands-resources model of burnout. J Appl Psychol. 2001;86(3):499–512.CrossRefPubMed
74.
Bandura A. Self-efficacy: the exercise of control. New York: W.H. Freeman; 1997.
75.
Snyder CR. Hope theory: rainbows in the Mind. Psychol Inq. 2002;13(4):249–275.CrossRef
76.
Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Jahkola A, Katajarinnel TA, Tulkki A. Work ability index. 2nd ed. Helsinki: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health; 1998.
77.
Samkange-Zeeb F, Altenhöner T, Berg G, Schott T. Predicting non-return to work in patients attending cardiac rehabilitation. Int J Rehabil Res. 2006;29(1):43–49.CrossRefPubMed
78.
de Boer AGEM, Verbeek JHAM, Spelten ER, Uitterhoeve ALJ, Ansink AC, de Reijke TM, et al. Work ability and return-to-work in cancer patients. Br J Cancer. 2008;98(8):1342–1347.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
79.
Petrie KJ, Weinman J, Sharpe N, Buckley J. Role of patients’ view of their illness in predicting return to work and functioning after myocardial infarction: longitudinal study. BMJ. 1996;312(7040):1191–1194.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
80.
DiMatteo MR, Lepper HS, Croghan TW. Depression is a risk factor for noncompliance with medical treatment. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160(14):2101–2107.CrossRefPubMed
81.
Morgan K, Villiers-Tuthill A, Barker M, McGee H. The contribution of illness perception to psychological distress in heart failure patients. BMC Psychol. 2014;2(1):50–58.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
82.
Cheng C, Chan AOO, Hui WM, Lam SK. Coping strategies, illness perception, anxiety and depression of patients with idiopathic constipation: a population-based study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003;18(3):319–326.CrossRefPubMed
83.
Murray K, Lam KBH, McLoughlin DC, Sadhra SS. Predictors of return to work in cancer survivors in the Royal Air Force. J Occup Rehabil. 2015;25(1):153–159.CrossRefPubMed
84.
Heijbel B, Josephson M, Jensen I, Stark S, Vingård E. Return to work expectation predicts work in chronic musculoskeletal and behavioral health disorders: prospective study with clinical implications. J Occup Rehabil. 2006;16(2):173–184.CrossRefPubMed
85.
Vlasveld MC, Van Der Feltz-Cornelis CM, Bültmann U, Beekman ATF, Van Mechelen W, Hoedeman R, et al. Predicting return to work in workers with all-cause sickness absence greater than 4 weeks: a prospective cohort study. J Occup Rehabil. 2012;22(1):118–126.CrossRefPubMed
86.
Steenstra IA, Verbeek JH, Heymans MW, Bongers PM. Prognostic factors for duration of sick leave in patients sick listed with acute low back pain: a systematic review of the literature. Occup Environ Med. 2005;62(12):851–860.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
87.
Steenstra IA, Busse JW, Hogg-Johnson S. Predicting return to work for workers with low-back pain. In: Loisel P, Anema J, editors. Handbook of work disability. New York: Springer; 2013. pp. 255–266.CrossRef
88.
Corbière M, Negrini A, Durand MJ, St-Arnaud L, Briand C, Fassier JB, et al. Development of the Return-to-Work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale (ROSES) and validation with workers suffering from a common mental disorder or musculoskeletal disorder. J Occup Rehabil. 2016. doi:10.​1007/​s10926-016-9661-2.CrossRef
89.
Kristman VL, Shaw WS, Boot CRL, Delclos GL, Sullivan MJ, Ehrhart MG, et al. Researching complex and multi-level workplace factors affecting disability and prolonged sickness absence. J Occup Rehabil. 2016;26(4):399–416.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
Metadata
Title
Common Psychosocial Factors Predicting Return to Work After Common Mental Disorders, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Cancers: A Review of Reviews Supporting a Cross-Disease Approach
Authors
Andrea Gragnano
Alessia Negrini
Massimo Miglioretti
Marc Corbière
Publication date
01-06-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1053-0487
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3688
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-017-9714-1

Other articles of this Issue 2/2018

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2/2018 Go to the issue

OriginalPaper

Return to Work in Employees on Sick Leave due to Neck or Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Multidisciplinary and Brief Intervention with One-Year Register-Based Follow-Up

OriginalPaper

Do Work Characteristics Predict Health Deterioration Among Employees with Chronic Diseases?

Review

A Systematic Review of the Role of Gender in Securing and Maintaining Employment Among Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities

Author Correction

Correction to: Reliability, Construct and Predictive Validity of the Hong Kong Chinese Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire

OriginalPaper

Measurement Properties of the Modified Spinal Function Sort (M-SFS): Is It Reliable and Valid in Workers with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain?

OriginalPaper

How Can Supervisors Contribute to the Return to Work of Employees Who have Experienced Depression?