Article

OBJECTIVE: To explore employment status, work limitations, and productivity loss
after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Inception cohort study over 4
years. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N=245; >16y at the time
of injury) who experienced a mild TBI and who were employed prior to their
injury. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Details of the
injury, demographic information, and preinjury employment status were collected
from medical records and self-report. Symptoms and mood were assessed 1 month
postinjury using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire and the
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Postinjury employment status and work
productivity were assessed 4 years postinjury using the Work Limitations
Questionnaire. RESULTS: Four years after mild TBI, 17.3% of participants had
exited the workforce (other than for reasons of retirement or to study) or had
reduced their working hours compared with preinjury. A further 15.5% reported
experiencing limitations at work because of their injury. Average work
productivity loss was 3.6%. The symptom of taking longer to think 1 month
postinjury significantly predicted work productivity loss 4 years later
(beta=.47, t=3.79, P</=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although changes in employment status
and difficulties at work are likely over time, the results indicate increased
unemployment rates, work limitations, and productivity loss in the longer term
after a mild TBI. Identification of cognitive difficulties 1 month after TBI in
working aged adults and subsequent interventions to address these difficulties
are required to facilitate work productivity.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS