S. Petrak, Matthias Bethge, David Fauser
Psychological comorbidities in cancer patients are common and associated with additional limitations in work participation. This longitudinal analysis examines the impact of psychological comorbidity in women with breast cancer on work participation after cancer rehabilitation.We used the scientific use file "SUFRSDLV20B" of the German Pension Insurance. Women with breast cancer who had completed inpatient post-acute rehabilitation in 2017 were included. Characteristics of patients with and without psychological comorbidity at the time of rehabilitation and their employment histories up to two years later were analyzed descriptively. Multiple logistic regressions tested the association between psychological comorbidity and stable employment as well as receiving a disability pension.Data from 2,310 women were analyzed, of whom 478 (21%) had a psychological comorbidity. Women with psychological comorbidity were more often unemployed before rehabilitation (11 vs. 8%) and also more frequently received sickness and unemployment benefits after rehabilitation. Psychological comorbidity was significantly associated with a lower chance of stable employment (OR=0.7; 95% CI 0.5 to 0.9; p=0.010) and a higher chance of receiving a disability pension (OR=1.9; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.1; p=0.008) two years after rehabilitation. The strongest association was observed for depression.In women with breast cancer, a psychological comorbidity was associated with restricted work participation two years after rehabilitation. These results indicate the need for early detection of psychological comorbidities and psycho-oncological as well as work-related interventions.