Factors contributing to employment patterns after liver transplantation. Issue 6 (19th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beal, Eliza W.; Tumin, Dmitry; Mumtaz, Khalid; Nau, Michael; Tobias, Joseph D.; Hayes, Don; Washburn, Kenneth; Black, Sylvester M.
• Is Part Of: Clinical transplantation. Volume 31:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-04-19
• Subjects: employment -- liver transplantation -- unemployment; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; 617.95
• DOI: 10.1111/ctr.12967
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0902-0063

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Many liver transplant recipients return to work, but their patterns of employment are unclear. We examine patterns of employment 5 years after liver transplantation. Methods: First‐time liver transplant recipients ages 18‐60 years transplanted from 2002 to 2009 and surviving at least 5 years were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing registry. Recipients' post‐transplant employment status was classified as follows: (i) never employed; (ii) returned to work within 2 years and remained employed (continuous employment); (iii) returned to work within 2 years, but was subsequently unemployed (intermittent employment); or (iv) returned to work ≥3 years post‐transplant (delayed employment). Results: Of 28 306 liver recipients identified during the study period, 12 998 survived at least 5 years and contributed at least 1 follow‐up of employment status. A minority of patients (4654; 36%) were never employed, while 3780 (29%) were continuously employed, 3027 (23%) were intermittently employed, and 1537 (12%) had delayed employment. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, predictors of intermittent and delayed employment included lower socioeconomic status, higher local unemployment rates, and post‐transplant comorbidities or complications. Conclusion: Never, intermittent, and delayed employment are common after liver transplantation. Socioeconomic and labor market characteristics may add to clinical factors that limit liver transplant recipients' continuous employment.