Article

AIM: To explore the course of employment in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) over
14 years, and to identify subgroups at risk for unemployment.
METHOD: Sixty-five
adults with CP (33 males, 32 females; baseline age 25y 8mo, standard deviation
[SD] 3y 2mo; intellectual impairment 25%; bilateral CP 65%) participated in a
prospective cohort study.
Self-reports of employment and work hours per week in
1996, 2000, and 2010 were documented. The course of employment (including
sheltered work) and work hours per week were analysed, using generalized
estimating equations (GEE). RESULTS: Overall, employment rate was stable over
time (38-45%, p=0.413), but lower than in the general population (75-86%,
p<0.001). Employment rates were specifically low in adults with intellectual
impairment, bilateral CP, and in adults with Gross Motor Function Classification
System (GMFCS) levels IV and V. Work hours per week declined (35.0 [SD 7.9] to
31.2 [SD 10.3], p=0.033), especially among females (32.3 [SD 6.4] to 23.4 [SD
7.4], p<0.001). Similar to the general population, females often worked part-time. INTERPRETATION: Employment was low compared with the general
population, but remained stable in the long term; however, work hours per week
decreased. Adults with intellectual impairment, bilateral CP, and GMFCS levels IV
and V are subgroups at risk for unemployment.
CI - (c) 2017 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS