Patients need Good Hormone Advice as it is fundamental to quality of life and work

A new study has identified a significant shortfall in patients with life-long but treatable conditions re-entering employment. Professor John StuddA new study has identified a significant shortfall in patients with life-long but treatable conditions re-entering employment. Led by Prof John Wass of the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, the group found that under half of patients with chronicA disease of long duration generally involving slow changes. endocrine conditions returned to work.

Endocrine conditions result in life-long imbalances in the body’s hormones, however, symptoms can be stabilised with medication and patients can enjoy a healthy, normal life.  However, patients suffering from chronic conditions may be at increased risk of long term unemployment, a known contributor to poorer health and increased health inequality.

Prof John Wass, Dr Barbara Alberts and Dr Emily Parker examined unemployment and return to work rates amongst people with a variety of long-term endocrine conditions; Addison’s diseaseA disorder of the adrenal glands leading to deficiency of hormones cortisol and aldosterone., Cushing’s diseaseA hormonal disorder caused by abnormally high levels of corticosteroid hormones in the blood., craniopharyngioma and Klinefelter’s syndromeA genetic disorder in which a male has an extra X chromosome, XXY instead of XY.  In a group of 130 patients, the study found a high rate of unemployment (40.8% vs 27.5% for the UK population). 60.8% reported a period of unemployment which was related to their disease, and only 40% of 130 patients had entered or re-entered work following a period of unemployment.

Researcher Prof John Wass, said: “Long term unemployment is a significant problem for people with chronic diseases.  More people should consider returning to work following diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. and more doctors need to encourage and support their patients in this.  Whilst a return to work may not be suitable for all patients, it can significantly improve their wellbeing and quality of life.  As a country, we need to provide more support services to allow people with long-term conditions to re-enter the workplace, at a rate that is feasible for them.”

In the women’s health context, Professor John Studd reports a similar picture. Women in particular will often incorrectly put the way they feel down to depressionFeelings of sadness, hopelessness and a loss of interest in life, combined with a sense of reduced emotional well-being and therefore get inappropriate drug treatment. NHS GPs are poorly equipped to deal with this group of patients and so women often have to seek help elsewhere from leading specialists such as Prof Studd. However, his patients seem to be reporting that it is well worth it as it can open the door to a whole new quality of life.