Working situation and burden of work limitations in sarcoma patients. Results from the multi-center prospective PROSa Study.

Purpose: We investigated limitations in work performance and job loss in sarcoma patients and related risk factors / predictors. Methods: We measured clinical and sociodemographic data in adult sarcoma patients from a nationwide study and recorded if the patients had dropped out of their job one year after initial assessment. Work limitations were assessed using three scales of the Work-Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ © ). Analyses regarding associated factors were exploratory. Results: We included 356 patients (48.6 % female, mean age 48.3 years). After one year, 76 (21.3%) patients had dropped out of their jobs. Time since diagnosis was positively associated with staying at work (>5 years: OR 0.1; p < 0.01). Patients with liposarcoma (OR 0.1; p=0.01) were less likely to stop working. Regarding work limitations, having received sarcoma treatment in the last 6 months (Scale 1: B= 18.9; p < 0.01, Scale 2: B= 15.7; p < 0.01, Scale 3: B= 15.1; p < 0.01) was also negatively associated with limitations at the work place across all measured scales. Conclusion: Our study indicates that work limitations and job loss occur frequently in patients with sarcoma adding to the burden of this condition. The reported predictors of work limitations may help physicians to decide about the length of prescribed work inability before the start of therapy and patients in the decision about re-starting in the work life after an occurred therapy.