Predictive factors of return‐to‐work trajectory after work‐related rotator cuff syndrome: A prospective study of 96 workers

• Published in: American journal of industrial medicine Vol. 66; no. 9; pp. 759 - 774
• Main Authors: Pichené‐Houard, Anne, Sirveaux, François, Clerc‐Urmès, Isabelle, Paris, Nicolas, Michel, Blaise, Jacquot, Adrien, Martinet, Noël, Claudon, Laurent, Paysant, Jean, Wild, Pascal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-09-2023
• Subjects: Absenteeism; Functional testing; Medical personnel; occupational exposures; predictors; return to work; Rotator cuff; rotator cuff repair; rotator cuff syndrome; rotator cuff tendinopathy; shoulder arthroscopic surgery; Statistical analysis; Surgery; trajectory stability; Working conditions; predictors; trajectory stability; shoulder arthroscopic surgery; return to work; rotator cuff syndrome; occupational exposures; rotator cuff repair; rotator cuff tendinopathy
• ISSN: 0271-3586; 1097-0274
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23511

Objective
Sustained return to work after surgery for work‐related rotator cuff syndrome (WRRCS) remains quite difficult. The main purpose of the present study was to identify predictive factors of a return‐to‐work (RTW) trajectory.
Methods
A total of 96 workers with WRRCS were identified by 4 surgeons. They were followed prospectively before and after the surgery, until 1 year after RTW, or for 20 months after surgery when they did not. Participants completed a series of standardized questionnaires related to working conditions, health, and beliefs, and performed functional tests at the inclusion time. During the follow‐up period, they were regularly asked about their working conditions (present or not at work), activity (normal or lightened physical duties) and schedules (full‐ or part‐time job). Statistical analysis was based on single‐ and multiple‐factor models of prediction of the workers' trajectory.
Results
Three trajectories of RTW were distinguished, considering RTW and absenteeism that occurred during the follow‐up: stable, unstable, and non‐RTW. The median age of the sample was 49.5 [45.0–54.0], with 67.7% of workers employed in highly physically demanding jobs. In the multiple factor model, three factors were highly predictive of the trajectory: perceived health before surgery, having had a repaired ruptured‐rotator‐cuff tendinopathy, and the level of physical demand of the job.
Conclusion
Three easy‐to‐collect predictive factors of RTW trajectory have been identified. They may be useful for healthcare professionals and care givers to identify vulnerable workers' risk of occupational dropout after arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff tendinopathy.