Job loss and reemployment of newly diagnosed people with epilepsy: A nationwide cohort study

Objective

Epilepsy has negative socioeconomic impacts on those affected, resulting not only from actual disability but also from social stigma. However, longitudinal studies examining occupational consequences following an epilepsy diagnosis are limited. We aimed to investigate the occupational outcomes of newly diagnosed epilepsy among Korean employees.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. We included newly diagnosed people with epilepsy (PWE) aged 25 to 54 years, identified by diagnostic codes and antiseizure medication (ASM) prescriptions, who were employed at diagnosis between 2004 and 2018. The employment status of PWE was determined based on their enrollment in the employer-provided health insurance scheme. We analyzed the rates of job loss and reemployment, associated factors, and income changes following diagnosis.

Results

Among the 13 122 newly diagnosed PWE, the overall first-year job loss rate across the study period was 21.7%, which was 1.62–2.54 times higher than that of the general population for each year. The excesses of job loss among PWE in safe occupations were comparable to those in safety-sensitive occupations. Central nervous system illness (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.12), psychiatric disease (aHR = 1.19), ≥2 emergency room visits or hospitalizations (aHR = 3.00), and ≥4 ASM attempts (aHR = 1.26) increased the risk of job loss. Among individuals who lost their job during the first year, 22.4% were reemployed within 1 year, with similar risk factors hindering reemployment. The income distribution of regained jobs showed a downward shift compared to previous jobs.

Significance

Newly diagnosed PWE were at risk of job loss, irrespective of the occupational hazards related to seizures. Poor disease control and comorbidities partially contributed to unemployment. Alongside active seizure management, guidance for suitable occupations and the implementation of tailored restrictions based on occupational risk stratification are imperative to improve the job security of PWE.