Subject: Absence from work
Subject: Occupation
Subject: Questionnaire
Subject: Spirometry
Subject: Worker
Year: 2023
Type: Article
Title: Work Ability in Patients with COPD: Sick Leave Frequency and Duration
Author: Minov, Jordan
Author: Stoleski, Sasho
Author: Mijakoski, Dragan
Author: Atanasovska, Aneta
Author: Panajotovic-Radevska, Maja
Author: Bislimovska, Dragana
Abstract: Introduction: Findings of several studies indicated that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects patients’ work ability and everyday life activities. Aim of the study: To compare frequency and duration of absence from work in workers with COPD and non-COPD controls. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study including 114 workers with COPD (63 males and 51 females, mean age 53.2 ± 3.7) and an equal number of non-COPD controls (60 males and 54 females, mean age 52.7 ± 3.1), classified by skill level in four occupation groups. Evaluation of the study subjects consisted of completion of a questionnaire, baseline spirometry, and bronchodilator reversibility testing. Results: Frequency of the sick leave episodes was significantly higher in workers with COPD than in non-COPD controls (44.7% vs. 20.1%; P = 0.004). In addition, frequency of sick leave episodes was higher in all occupation groups of workers with COPD than in non-COPD controls with significant difference for the workers performing physical or manual tasks (48.3% vs. 21.2%; P = 0.045). In regard to duration of sick leave episodes, the frequency of episodes lasting equal or less than 15 days and more than 15 days was higher in workers with COPD being significantly higher for episodes longer than 15 days (50.9% vs. 26.9%; P = 0.045). Conclusion: Our findings indicated significantly higher frequency of sick leave episodes, as well as significantly higher frequency of sick leave episodes lasting more than 15 days, in workers with COPD than in non-COPD controls.
Publisher: International Journal of Clinical Studies and Medical Case Reports
Relation: COPD and Occupational Exposure
Identifier: oai:repository.ukim.mk:20.500.12188/27970
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12188/27970Identifier: 10.46998/ijcmcr.2023.34.000829
Identifier: 34
Identifier: 1
