Factors influencing return to work after stroke in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Few studies have identified factors that predict return to work after stroke in Japan. Our aim in this study was to determine the predictors of return to work after stroke in Japan. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study on the association between patients' characteristics at admission and return to work in 230 first-stroke patients, adjusting for potential confounding factors. The patients were all aged younger than 65 years and were working, students, or housewives at the time of their stroke. Return to work was evaluated by a follow-up questionnaire. Data were analyzed using forward logistic regression analysis to compute odds ratios of return to work. RESULTS The adjusted odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) for patients with normal muscle strength vs severe muscle weakness, without apraxia vs with apraxia, and with white-collar vs blue-collar occupation were 4.50 (1.04 to 19.42), 4.87 (1.28 to 18.54), and 3.33 (1.34 to 8.30), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Significant predictors of return to work after stroke were no muscle weakness, absence of apraxia, and white-collar occupation.