Return to work following diagnosis of low-grade glioma: A nationwide matched cohort study

OBJECTIVE: Return-to-work (RTW) following diagnosis of infiltrative low-grade gliomas is unknown.

METHODS: Swedish patients with histopathologic verified WHO grade II diffuse glioma diagnosed between 2005 and 2015 were included. Data were acquired from several Swedish registries. A total of 381 patients aged 18-60 were eligible. A matched control population (n = 1,900) was acquired. Individual data on sick leave, compensations, comorbidity, and treatments assigned were assessed. Predictors were explored using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: One year before surgery/index date, 88% of cases were working, compared to 91% of controls. The proportion of controls working remained constant, while patients had a rapid increase in sick leave approximately 6 months prior to surgery. After 1 and 2 years, respectively, 52% and 63% of the patients were working. Predictors for no RTW after 1 year were previous sick leave (odds ratio [OR] 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-0.96, p < 0.001), older age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99, p = 0.005), and lower functional level (OR 0.64 95% CI, 0.45-0.91 p = 0.01). Patients receiving adjuvant treatment were less likely to RTW within the first year. At 2 years, biopsy (as opposed to resection), female sex, and comorbidity were also unfavorable, while age and adjuvant treatment were no longer significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of patients RTW within the first year. Lower functional status, previous sick leave, older age, and adjuvant treatment were risk factors for no RTW at 1 year after surgery. Female sex, comorbidity, and biopsy only were also unfavorable for RTW at 2 years.