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Spronk I, Van Loey NEE, van der Vlies CH, Haagsma JA, Polinder S, van Baar ME. Activity impairment, work status, and work productivity loss in adults 5-7 years after burn injuries. J Burn Care Res 2021; 43:256-262. [PMID: 33693704 PMCID: PMC8737115 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irab047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
An important aspect of the rehabilitation of burn patients is social participation, including daily activities and work. Detailed information on long-term activity impairment and employment is scarce. Therefore, we investigated activity impairment, work status, and work productivity loss in adults 5–7 years following burn injuries, and investigated associations with burn-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) domains. Adult participants completed the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment General Health questionnaire and the Burn Specific Health Scale-brief (BSHS-B) 5–7 years post-burn. Outcomes were compared between participants with mild/intermediate and severe burns (>20% total body surface area burned). Seventy-six (36%) of the 213 participants experienced some degree of activity impairment due to burn-related problems 5–7 years post-burn. Seventy percent of the population was employed; 12% of them experienced work productivity loss due to burn-related problems. Nineteen percent reported changes in their work situation (partly) because of the burn injury. A higher proportion of participants with severe burns had activity impairments (56% vs 29%; P = .001) and work productivity loss (26% vs 8%; P < .001) compared to participants with mild/intermediate burns. Activity impairment and work productivity loss were both associated with burn-related work problems and lower mood, measured with the BSHS-B. In conclusion, a substantial part of the study population experienced activity impairment and work productivity loss, was unemployed, and/or reported changes in their work situation due to their injury. Particularly patients with severe burns reported productivity loss and had lower employment rates. This subscribes the importance of addressing work-related functioning in the rehabilitation of burn patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Spronk
- Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Public Health, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nancy E E Van Loey
- Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Department Behavioural Research, Beverwijk, the Netherlands.,Utrecht University, Department Clinical Psychology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H van der Vlies
- Burn Centre, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Trauma Research Unit Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juanita A Haagsma
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Public Health, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Polinder
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Public Health, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Margriet E van Baar
- Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Public Health, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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