Employment status and associated factors in working-age maintenance hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the employment status and analyze its associated factors among working-age patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).

METHODS

This multicenter, cross-sectional study enrolled 126 working-age (18-60 years) MHD patients from five dialysis centers in Beijing between January 2023 and January 2024. Baseline characteristics, psychological status (using Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and clinical data were collected via face-to-face questionnaires during dialysis sessions. Participants were categorized into employed and non-employed groups based on current work status.

RESULTS

Among the 126 patients, 33.3% (n = 42) were employed, 38.1% stopped working due to illness, and 26.2% of non-working patients expressed willingness to return to work if given the opportunity. Occupations among employed patients were primarily company employees (33.3%) and self-employed/freelancers (40.5%). Multivariate logistic regression identified female sex (OR = 0.166, 95% CI: 0.053-0.515, p = 0.002), older age (OR = 0.895, 95% CI: 0.847-0.947, p < 0.001), and higher annual household income (OR = 0.328, 95% CI: 0.196-0.549, p < 0.001) as independent factors negatively associated with employment, while higher body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with employment (OR = 1.362, 95% CI: 1.025-1.810, p = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately, one-third of working-age MHD patients in Beijing remain employed, with flexible work forms (self-employment/freelancing) being common. Female gender, older age, and higher household income are significant negative correlates of employment, whereas higher BMI is positively associated with employment. These findings highlight the importance of nutritional status and suggest the need for targeted vocational rehabilitation strategies to improve workforce participation and social reintegration in this population.