Social cognition and occupational reintegration in primary central nervous system lymphoma long-term survivors: a secondary analysis of a combined data set.

OBJECTIVE: Although sociocognitive impairment is linked to failure of occupational reintegration in other clinical populations, less is known on the association of sociocognitive functioning and occupational reintegration in brain tumor patients such as primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODS: Twenty PCNSL patients with ongoing complete response to therapy for at least one year were evaluated of whom eight resumed work. The association between occupational status, empathy, alexithymia and social problem solving was analyzed.

RESULTS: Employed and non-employed patients were significantly different in their ability to provide appropriate solutions for social situations even when accounting for neurocognition. Decreased quality of life was associated with sociocognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the results must be replicated in larger, more representative populations, this exploratory analysis tentatively adds facets to the literature on occupational reintegration in brain tumor patients. Forthcoming psychosocial research and clinical practice may target sociocognitive impairment when addressing reintegration after neuro-oncological treatment.