Return to work after myocardial infarction: A systematic review

Abstract

The majority of people experiencing Myocardial Infarction are of working age, which may result in prolonged work disability. This study seeks to consolidate the available evidence regarding the return to work for individuals following a Myocardial Infarction, while also examining its correlation with disease severity, job engagement, and duration of hospitalization. This research is a systematic review. The databases utilized include MEDLINE, Lilacs, Scielo, and Web of Science, with keywords and synonyms sourced from the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS), Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), and Embase Subject Headings (Emtree). Data collection took place between November 2023 and June 2024. The studies’ quality was evaluated using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. The search yielded 4,695 articles, from which 12 cohort studies were selected for inclusion, encompassing a total of 83,702 participants. The rate of return to work fluctuated throughout the follow-up period, with a return rate of 21.5% to 41.7% after one month and between 76.9% and 92.7% after one year. Additionally, the studies reported on modifications in work roles, salary reductions, job dismissals, and the incidence of anxiety and depression. All cohort studies were deemed to be of good quality. The rate of returning to work following a Myocardial Infarction is notably high within one year and is associated with physical, psychological, and social factors, highlighting the need for mechanisms that facilitate this return as promptly as possible. However, further research is necessary, particularly involving diverse populations and distinguishing among different professional categories, to gather more extensive data.

Keywords: Myocardial infarction, Return to work, Cohort study