Women were less likely to recommence work three months after recovering from stroke, according to a new study from Germany published in the journal Stroke.¹

Hahn et al analyzed data from 606 patients among the working population. Data was sourced from the multicenter, observational German Stroke Registry - Endovascular Treatment Study between 2015 and 2019. The participants had suffered a large vessel ischemic stroke and underwent mechanical thrombectomy and/or intravenous thrombolysis. They aimed to identify factors that prevented resuming work again after recovery from stroke 90 days after treatment.

Results showed that only one-third of patients who survived the stroke took up their occupation again after three months after adjusting for age, gender, type of stroke, its severity and treatment. Post-stroke persistent functional deficits were the major reasons cited for not recommencing work after stroke recovery. Nearly 36% of patients rejoined their employment 3 months after mechanical thrombectomy, more men (36.1%) than women (34.5%). A salient finding was that the probability of returning to their job was 58% lower in women after mechanical thrombectomy compared to men. Other factors that were negative predictors of resuming work included large vessel occlusion due to large-artery atherosclerosis and longer duration of hospitalization.

The odds of returning to work was 2-folds higher in patients managed with both mechanical thrombectomy and intravenous thrombolysis compared to those who had been treated with mechanical thrombectomy alone. Excellent functional outcome at 3 months also favored return to work.

Researchers also noted that the women in the study group suffered the stroke at a younger age; they were also likely to be non-smokers and have no major disability at the time of discharge, all factors favoring the odds of resuming work. Nevertheless, fewer women returned to work than men.

The authors suggest the need to identify deterrents that prevent women from getting back to work again. Rather than just ensuring functional outcomes, this study highlights the need for supportive and “targeted vocational and workplace rehabilitation interventions” to help women start working again.

Reference

1. Hahn M, et al. Sex disparities in re-employment in stroke patients with large vessel occlusion undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Stroke. 2022 Apr 21;101161STROKEAHA121037386. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.037386.