To Örebro University

BACKGROUND: Research shows that variety of factors are related to risks of not returning to work among people with acquired brain injury (ABI). In Sweden, 40% of those with ABI in working age return to work within two years after the injury, which in line with international findings. However, since countries may differ in work rehabilitation, social security systems, culture and laws, different factors may influence the possibilities of returning to work across countries.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate person, injury, activity and rehabilitation related risk markers for not return to work among persons with ABI in Sweden.

METHODS: Retrospective data of an ABI cohort of 2008 people from the WebRehab Sweden quality register were used.

RESULTS: Analyses showed that the risk ratio for not returning to work was larger for people that, among the Personal factors, were woman, born outside of Sweden, had low education level, and not having children in the household; among the injury related factors, had long (> 2 months) hospital stay, aphasia, low motor function, low cognitive function, high pain/discomfort, and high anxiety/depression; among the activity related factors, had low function in self-care, inability to perform usual activities, and had their driver´s license suspended; and finally among the rehabilitation related factors, were satisfied with treatment and having influence over their rehabilitation plan.

DISCUSSION / CONCLUSION: Several factors in different areas were risk markers for not returning to work among people with ABI. This suggest that work rehabilitation and interventions, in addition to direct injury related issues, need to address personal related, activity related and rehabilitation related factors in order to increase the patient´s possibility to return to work. Influences of general and country specific factors on returning to work among people with ABI will be discussed.