Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate patients' resumption of work after a first stroke including the kind of work. One hundred five cases were followed-up by letter about their resumption of work and related information. The patients were all younger than 60 years old and working at the time of their strokes. We also investigated their characteristics at discharge. Their occupations were classified using a modified version of the Standard Occupation Classification of Japan. Sixty three percent of the patients interviewed returned to work and 52% returned to their previous jobs. Concerning patient pre-stroke occupations, the resumption rates were highest for supervisors and office workers. On the other hand, the resumption rates were lowest for construction workers and sales people. Concerning the severity of paresis, the resumption rates tended to be lower for those patients who had severe paresis. In patients who returned to work, their total score on the Functional Independence Measure at their discharge was higher. We reconfirmed that the resumption of work in stroke patients depends not only on medical factors but also on social factors. These results obtained should prove useful for stroke treatment, stroke rehabilitation and cooperation with industrial hygienists.
