scholarly journals Work despite poor health? A 14-year follow-up of how individual work accommodations are extending the time to retirement for workers with poor health conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 100514
Author(s):  
Robin Jonsson ◽  
Lotta Dellve ◽  
Björn Halleröd
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 641-641
Author(s):  
Andrew Kingston ◽  
Holly Bennett ◽  
Louise Robinson ◽  
Lynne Corner ◽  
Carol Brayne ◽  
...  

Abstract The combined contribution of multi-morbidity and socio-economic position (SEP) to trends in disability free life expectancy (DFLE) is unknown. We use longitudinal data from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS I: 1991; CFAS II: 2011), with two year follow up. Disability was defined as difficulty in activities of daily living, and SEP as area-level deprivation. Multi-morbidity was constructed from nine self-reported health conditions and categorised as 0-1, 2-3, 4+ diseases. In 1991 and 2011, shorter total and disability-free years were associated with greater multi-morbidity. Between 1991 and 2011, gains in life expectancy and DFLE were observed at all levels of multi-morbidity, the greatest gain in DFLE being 4 years for men with 0-1 diseases. As multi-morbidity is more prevalent in more disadvantaged groups, further analyses will investigate whether SEP differences remain at all levels of multi-morbidity.


Author(s):  
Rebecca Bendayan ◽  
Yajing Zhu ◽  
A D Federman ◽  
R J B Dobson

Abstract Background We aimed to examine the multimorbidity patterns within a representative sample of UK older adults and their association with concurrent and subsequent memory. Methods Our sample consisted of 11,449 respondents (mean age at baseline was 65.02) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). We used fourteen health conditions and immediate and delayed recall scores (IMRC and DLRC) over 7 waves (14 years of follow up). Latent class analyses were performed to identify the multimorbidity patterns and linear mixed models were estimated to explore their association with their memory trajectories. Models were adjusted by socio-demographics, BMI and health behaviors. Results Results showed 8 classes: Class 1:Heart Disease/Stroke (26%), Class 2:Asthma/Lung Disease (16%), Class 3:Arthritis/Hypertension (13%), Class 4:Depression/Arthritis (12%), Class 5:Hypertension/Cataracts/Diabetes (10%), Class 6:Psychiatric Problems/Depression (10%), Class 7:Cancer (7%) and Class 8:Arthritis/Cataracts (6%). At baseline, Class 4 was found to have lower IMRC and DLRC scores and Class 5 in DLRC, compared to the no multimorbidity group (n=6380, 55.72% of total cohort). For both tasks, in unadjusted models, we found an accelerated decline in Classes 1, 3 and 8; and, for DLRC, also in Classes 2 and 5. However, it was fully attenuated after adjustments. Conclusions These findings suggest that individuals with certain combinations of health conditions are more likely to have lower levels of memory compared those with no multimorbidity and their memory scores tend to differ between combinations. Socio-demographics and health behaviours have a key role to understand who is more likely to be at risk of an accelerated decline.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Hillary L. Ditmars ◽  
Mark W. Logue ◽  
Rosemary Toomey ◽  
Ruth E. McKenzie ◽  
Carol E. Franz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Clarifying the relationship between depression symptoms and cardiometabolic and related health could clarify risk factors and treatment targets. The objective of this study was to assess whether depression symptoms in midlife are associated with the subsequent onset of cardiometabolic health problems. Methods The study sample comprised 787 male twin veterans with polygenic risk score data who participated in the Harvard Twin Study of Substance Abuse (‘baseline’) and the longitudinal Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (‘follow-up’). Depression symptoms were assessed at baseline [mean age 41.42 years (s.d. = 2.34)] using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, Version III, Revised. The onset of eight cardiometabolic conditions (atrial fibrillation, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, sleep apnea, and stroke) was assessed via self-reported doctor diagnosis at follow-up [mean age 67.59 years (s.d. = 2.41)]. Results Total depression symptoms were longitudinally associated with incident diabetes (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.07–1.57), erectile dysfunction (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10–1.59), hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04–1.53), and sleep apnea (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.13–1.74) over 27 years after controlling for age, alcohol consumption, smoking, body mass index, C-reactive protein, and polygenic risk for specific health conditions. In sensitivity analyses that excluded somatic depression symptoms, only the association with sleep apnea remained significant (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09–1.60). Conclusions A history of depression symptoms by early midlife is associated with an elevated risk for subsequent development of several self-reported health conditions. When isolated, non-somatic depression symptoms are associated with incident self-reported sleep apnea. Depression symptom history may be a predictor or marker of cardiometabolic risk over decades.


Author(s):  
William S. Shaw ◽  
Robert K. McLellan ◽  
Elyssa Besen ◽  
Sara Namazi ◽  
Michael K. Nicholas ◽  
...  

AbstractPurpose An increasing number of workers in the US have chronic health conditions that limit their ability to work, and few worksite interventions have been tested to improve worker coping and problem solving at work. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a worksite-based health self-management program designed to improve workplace function among workers with chronic health conditions. Methods We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of a worksite self-management program (“Manage at Work”) (clinicaltrials.gov #NCT01978392) for workers with chronic health conditions (N = 119; 82% female, ages 20–69). Most workers were recruited from the health care or light manufacturing industry sectors. Workers attended a 5-session, facilitated psychoeducational program using concepts of health self-management, self-efficacy, ergonomics, and communication. Changes on outcomes of work engagement, work limitation, job satisfaction, work fatigue, work self-efficacy, days absent, and turnover intention at 6-month follow-up were compared to wait-list controls. Results The most prevalent chronic health conditions were musculoskeletal pain, headaches, vision problems, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders, and mental health disorders. The self-management program showed greater improvement in work engagement and turnover intent at 6-month follow-up, but there was no evidence of a parallel reduction in perceived work limitation. Trends for improved outcomes of work self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and work fatigue in the intervention group did not reach statistical significance in a group x time interaction test. Conclusions Offering a worksite self-management program to workers with chronic health conditions may be a feasible and beneficial strategy to engage and retain skilled workers who are risking disability.Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov #NCT01978392.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 276-292
Author(s):  
Sarah E Scott ◽  
Jeff D Breckon ◽  
Robert J Copeland

Objectives Physical activity is recommended for managing chronic health conditions but is rarely maintained. This feasibility study aimed to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural intervention for long-term physical activity for adults with chronic health conditions. Methods Participants ( N = 37) with stable conditions (e.g. diabetes) were randomized into a three-month motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural group ( N = 20) or usual care ( N = 17) after completing a physical activity referral scheme. Participants completed physical activity (e.g. average steps per day and kilocalorie expenditure), psychological (e.g. self-efficacy) and epidemiological (e.g. body mass index) standardized measures at baseline, three- and six-month follow-up. Treatment fidelity and feasibility were assessed. Results Thirty-five participants completed the study (96% retention). The motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural group maintained kilocalorie expenditure at three ( p = 0.009) and six months ( p = 0.009). Exercise barrier self-efficacy ( p = 0.03), physical ( p = 0.02) and psychological ( p = 0.01) physical activity experiences were increased at three months only. No difference was found for average steps/day, social support, coping skills and epidemiological factors. Discussion This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural interventions for promoting physical activity maintenance in a clinical population. A large-scale trial with a longer follow-up (≥6 months) is warranted with treatment fidelity assessment.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1315-1315
Author(s):  
Lucie M Turcotte ◽  
John A Whitton ◽  
Wendy M. Leisenring ◽  
Todd Gibson ◽  
Rebecca M Howell ◽  
...  

Introduction: Five-year survival following childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has doubled over the last 4 decades due to advances in treatment and supportive care, including more widespread use of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The impact on long-term morbidity and mortality among survivors is unknown. Methods: Cumulative incidence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall and cause-specific late (>5 years from diagnosis) mortality and CTCAE grades 3-5 chronic health conditions (CHC) were estimated among 5-year survivors of AML diagnosed <21 years of age between1970-99 in the CCSS. Comparisons were made by decade of diagnosis (1970s, 1980s, 1990s) and treatment (HCT vs. chemotherapy only [chemo-only]). Cox regression models estimated hazard ratios (HR) for health-related deaths and CHC based on treatment decade and HCT status. Results: Among 927 AML survivors (median age at diagnosis 7.1 years [range 1-21 years]; median age at last follow-up 29.4 years [range 8-60 years]; 16,069 person-years of follow-up; 37% treated with HCT [15% of 1970s survivors, 36% of 1980s survivors, 44% of 1990s survivors), the 20-year cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was 6.7% (CI 4.2-9.2%) for chemo-only survivors and 13.5% (CI 9.2-17.8%) for HCT survivors. For chemo-only survivors, the highest incidence of health-related mortality were attributable to cardiac causes (1.5%, CI 0.5-2.6), relapse (0.9%, CI 0.1-1.8), and SMN (0.6%, CI 0.0-1.2), whereas for HCT survivors the highest health-related causes of death were relapse (6.5%, CI 3.7-9.2%), SMN (1.3%, CI 0-2.5%), and pulmonary causes (0.6%, CI 0-1.5%). When treatment groups were considered in multivariable Cox models, risk for late mortality was similar for chemo-only survivors from the 1990s compared to the 1970s (HR 0.4, CI 0.1-1.4), but risk was reduced for HCT survivors from the 1990s compared to the 1970s (HR 0.2, CI 0.1-0.4). The 20-year cumulative incidence of grade 3-5 CHCs among chemo-only survivors was 26.9% (CI 23.0-30.7%) compared to 46.8% (CI 40.9-52.7%) among HCT survivors, with the highest incidence occurring for cardiovascular CHC (chemo-only, 9.7%, CI 7.1-12.2%; HCT, 10.6%, CI 7.0-14.2%), pulmonary CHC (chemo-only, 1.0%, CI 0.1-1.9%; HCT, 2.9%, CI 1.0-4.8%) and SMN (chemo-only, 0.8%, CI 0.0-1.7%; HCT, 5.7%, CI 2.9-8.6%). Incidence of overall CHC decreased in more recent decades among HCT survivors (p=0.03, Figure); however, among chemo-only survivors, CHC incidence did not significantly change by decade (p=0.12). When treatment groups were considered in adjusted models, risk for CHC was similar for those treated in the 1990s compared to the 1970s among chemo-only survivors (HR 1.5, CI 1.0-2.3) and risk estimates among HCT survivors decreased over time but did not achieve statistical significance (HR 0.6, CI 0.3-1.1). Conclusions: AML survivors treated with HCT had a reduced risk of late mortality and serious CHC in more recent treatment eras. In contrast, treatment with chemo-only was not associated with differences in mortality and serious CHC risk over time. Five-year survivors treated with chemo-only had a significantly reduced risk of health-related mortality compared with HCT survivors across all treatment eras. While treatment intensification with HCT has improved the cure rates for AML in recent decades, there remains disparity in long-term outcomes among AML survivors treated with HCT vs. chemo-only. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Author(s):  
Frances B. Slaven ◽  
Yvonne Erasmus ◽  
Margot Uys ◽  
Pierre-Emile Bruand ◽  
Beki Magazi ◽  
...  

Background: South Africa faces a number of significant challenges apropos mental health service delivery, including a large treatment gap, a high rate of readmission, over-burdened specialist tertiary facilities, and slow integration of mental health into general health services. The South African National Mental Health Education Programme implemented between February 2019 and December 2019, aimed to upskill health workers to diagnose and manage mental disorders at primary and secondary levels of care.Aim: This study aimed to assess the evolution of training participants’ self-reported competency in mental health care and the number of referrals made to higher levels of care as well as to reflect on the possible broader effects of the training.Setting: The programme and study were conducted in South Africa with Medical Officers and Professional Nurses working at public sector primary and secondary level health care facilities.Methods: A descriptive observational study collected data from training participants through a pre- and post-course, and 3-month follow-up survey.Results: The average confidence ratings for performing mental health care activities and managing mental health conditions increased from pre- to post-course, and was either maintained or increased further at 3-month follow-up. A decrease in the self-reported percentage of patients being referred to a higher level of care was observed 3-months after the training.Conclusion: The evaluation suggests that a brief training intervention such this can go a long way in increasing the confidence of primary and secondary level health care workers in managing common mental health conditions and adhering to the provisions of legislation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 121-137
Author(s):  
Sandro Galea

This chapter evaluates the central role of compassion in preventing the contagion next time. During COVID-19, compassion revealed just how many people in the United States are deeply vulnerable to poor health. This vulnerability was often a product of underlying health conditions. There are many health challenges in the United States which annually generate a level of mortality comparable to that of COVID-19, challenges like obesity and addiction. However, America have not addressed these challenges with anywhere near the level of urgency they brought to bear in addressing COVID-19. A key reason why is, arguably, because these challenges are not infectious, making it possible for the public at large to escape the visceral feeling of vulnerability to a disease which transmits through the air and can strike anybody. Instead, they see these challenges somehow as niche issues, the niche being the lives of the marginalized and disadvantaged groups. This outlook allows them to evade the feeling of common humanity which gives rise to compassion. Compassion, then, depends on the understanding of the true nature of health and of the shared vulnerability to disease.


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