Work-related determinants of return to work of employees on long-term sickness absence

Purpose. The aim of the study is to identify work-related determinants of return to work (RTW) of employees who are on long-term sickness absence.Method. The study was based on a sample of 926 employees on sickness absence ( maximum duration of 12 weeks). The employees filled out a baseline questionnaire and were subsequently followed until the 10th month after listing sick. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify determinants of RTW.Results. Working in one of the vocational sectors public administration, construction, financial and commercial services, transport, or education ( P = 0.00) and having low co-worker support ( P = 0.01) were related to longer duration to RTW in the mulitvariate model. Having low supervisor support ( P = 0.01) was associated with a higher RTW rate.Conclusions. Vocational sector is a strong predictor of RTW. Especially employees from the sector education are slow as to RTW. The observed association between low supervisor support and RTW was unexpected. However, the study confirms earlier research on the association between low co-worker support and RTW.</p

The impact of delayed development on the quality of life of adults with end-stage renal disease since childhood

Little is known about the impact of the course of life of children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on their quality of life in adulthood. We therefore assessed the course of life of adult patients with onset of ESRD at an age of <15 years between 1972 and 1992 and compared it with that of the general population. Furthermore, we explored how course of life is associated with quality of life (QoL) in young adulthood. A total of 75 young adult patients who had had ESRD since childhood, aged between 20 years and 30 years, completed the RAND-36 Health Survey and a questionnaire, which retrospectively assesses the achievement of development milestones. Patients achieved fewer milestones than peers with respect to autonomy, social, and psycho-sexual development, and displayed less risk behaviour. Patients who achieved fewer social milestones while growing up experienced more emotional problems and less vitality, and they had a lesser overall mental quality of life. Paediatric nephrologists should pay more attention to the development of social and independent functioning of children with ESRD in order to prepare them for active participation in society in adult life. © IPNA 2006