Return to Work After Heart Transplantation : Discrepancy With Subjective Work Ability

This study evaluates the objective rate of return to work after heart transplantation (HTX) in comparison with the patients' subjective rating of their work ability and identifies predictors for return to work in a German heart transplant center. A questionnaire covering demographics, clinical data, and professional aspects was sent to 200 heart transplant recipients at least 12 months after HTX. Participation was strictly anonymous enabling reliable results concerning subjective work ability. Response rate was 150 of 200 (75%). During the time after HTX, 45 of 150 (30.0%) patients had ever been in a job. Thirty-five of 95 (36.8%) patients of formal working age (