Work disability in adults with cystic fibrosis and its relationship to quality of life

With increasing numbers of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients surviving to adulthood, issues related to vocation inevitably arise and warrant specific attention. We examined the percentage of participants with CF currently working and explored risk factors for work disability among adults with CF.Method:We recruited 50 consecutive patients from an adult cystic fibrosis service. Demographic, employment history, illness severity indicators and CF-attributed work disability factors were evaluated. Demographic risk factors for work disability using the illness severity measures of FEV1, S–K score, CRDQ, and recent hospitalisation as independent variables were determined.Results:Factorial analysis of a disability index (DI) indicated no dependency on FEV1 or S–K score, but dependency on quality of life indices (p < 0.05), age (p < 0.05) and hospital admission rate (p < 0.05). Hours worked per week were dependent on quality of life (p < 0.01) (mastery of disease domain), fewer hospital admissions (p < 0.01) and age (p < 0.05). Sixty-eight percent of the sample reported that CF resulted in significant impediments to employment. However, few had sought vocational guidance (6%).Conclusion:Determinants of workforce participation shows that hours worked and perceived disability are more dependent on mastery of disease, age, and time in hospital, than on clinical severity scores. Health professionals may assist productivity through career counselling or tailored programs.