[The clinico-psychological correlations and work adaptation of rheumatism patients operated on for heart defects].

Altogether 345 patients with rheumatic fever operated on for heart disease were examined for clinicopsychological correlations and their importance for patients' adaptation to work. Cardiovascular function was estimated with the aid of clinical and instrumental methods (ECG, echocardiography, bicycle ergometry). The psychological personality traits were examined by Quetelet's 16-factorial questionnaire, the type of the attitude towards disease by a personality questionnaire developed by the V. M. Bechterew's Leningrad Research Psychoneurological Institute, work purpose by a specially made up questionnaire. Correlations between the level of adaptation to work and the sociopsychological and clinical signs were studied. The psychological characteristics, work purpose of the personality were found to be of paramount importance for restoration of work fitness, which is of significance in the design of labour prognosis of patients and in expert medical evaluation of the working capacity.