Article

OBJECTIVE: To explore sexual disability in injured workers undergoing
rehabilitation. Specifically, we investigated (1) factors associated with high
ratings of sexual disability, (2) factors associated with noncompletion of the
sexual disability questionnaire, and (3) the association between sexual
disability and future recovery. DESIGN: Historical cohort study with 1-year
follow-up. SETTING: Workers' compensation rehabilitation facility. PARTICIPANTS:
Workers' compensation claimants (N=1078) undergoing return-to-work assessment.
Ratings of sexual disability were measured using the Sexual Behavior item of the
Pain Disability Index. Other demographic, clinical, and occupational factors also
were collected. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes
included administrative indicators of timely and sustained recovery and return to
work. RESULTS: Of subjects included in analysis, 18.5% did not complete the
Sexual Behavior item. Claimants were less likely to complete if they were women,
older, and single; had lower salaries, injury diagnoses other than sprain/strain,
and fewer health visits before assessment; and reported lower recovery
expectations. Higher levels of sexual disability were associated with higher
levels of overall pain and disability, as well as being in a married/common law
relationship. After adjusting for injury duration, the Sexual Behavior item was
not associated significantly with any recovery measure or claims outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: A response bias exists in Canadian injured workers asked to complete
a sexual disability rating. In those completing the questionnaire, higher sexual
disability was associated most closely with higher pain severity and higher
disability. Perceptions of sexual disability did not contribute to predicting
recovery, which supports replacement of this item for use within this and related
contexts.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS