Physical and psychosocial working conditions as predictors of 5-year changes in work ability among 2078 employees in Germany

Objective To examine 5-year prospective associations between working conditions and work ability among employees in Germany. Methods A cohort study (2011/2012–2017), based on a random sample of employees in employments subject to payment of social contributions aged 31–60 years (Study on Mental Health at Work; S-MGA; N = 2,078), included data on physical and quantitative demands, control (influence, possibilities for development, control over working time), relations (role clarity and leadership quality) and work ability (Work Ability Index, WAI; subscale ‘subjective work ability and resources’). Data were analysed using linear regression. Results Physical demands and control were associated with small 5-year changes in work ability (ΔR2 = 1%). Among the subgroup of employees with ≥ 25 sickness days, possibilities for development, control and quality of leadership were associated with changes in work ability (ΔR2 = 8%). Conclusions The impact of working conditions on long term changes in work ability seems to be negligible. However, in vulnerable subpopulations experiencing poor health, working conditions may be associated to a larger extent to work ability over this time span.

OS7.6 Socioeconomic burden and associations with quality of life in meningioma patients

BACKGROUND Socioeconomics affect the outcome of neurological patients, but the socioeconomic burden of brain tumors has not been studied in detail. PATIENTS AND METHODS This survey study in a clinically well-annotated cohort of meningioma patients was designed to explore socioeconomic status parameters at diagnosis and one year thereafter. The survey comprised level of education, profession, employment status, subjective work ability, monthly income and the EPICES social deprivation score. Quality of life (QoL) and symptom burden were queried utilizing the EORTC-QLQ-C30/BN20 and MDASI-BT. A multivariate binary regression model was applied to explore associations of socioeconomics with QoL. RESULTS Completed surveys were obtained from 249 of 410 patients (61%) who were invited to participate. The level of education was an apprenticeship or higher in 214 patients (86%). One year after diagnosis, there was a 20% decline in the fraction of employed patients and a more than twofold increase in unemployment and disability (p<0.001). There was a decrease in monthly income among patients with a baseline income below national average (p=0.008). On multivariate analyses, there was an association of inferior QoL with pre-operative unemployment or retirement (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.02–5.88), whereas a subjective work ability of >70% was associated with better QoL (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15–0.92). CONCLUSION Socioeconomics assessments should be incorporated in prospective neuro-oncology clinical trials. A more detailed knowledge of the effects of socioeconomics on patient outcome will aid in identifying patients at risk for deterioration and allow to implement improved preventive and supportive strategies.

Age Changes in Subjective Work Ability

This article explores the influence of psychosocial work environment on age-related subjective changes in work ability and discusses differences between work ability and job performance. The results show age and physical health to be strong predictors of subjective decline in work ability. The age effect is independent of age-associated declining health. It is not clear what it is about age that produces the subjective decline in work ability. While primary age changes may produce decline, stereotypes and self-stereotypes about ageing may also be important. Among psychosocial factors, options for learning and problems at work are robust predictors of subjective changes in work ability. One practical consequence is to ensure learning opportunities for workers, even for workers approaching retirement age. By giving learning opportunities to senior workers, subjective work ability may be maintained, and competence acquired through learning may in a direct way support stability or improvements in job performance.