Work disability in rheumatic diseases: Baseline results from an inception cohort. (8th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiang, Ling; Low, Andrea H. L.; Leung, Ying Ying; Fong, Warren; Gan, Wee Hoe; Graves, Nicholas; Thumboo, Julian
• Is Part Of: International journal of rheumatic diseases. Volume 23:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 1040
• Page End: 1049
• Publication Date: 2020-06-08
• Subjects: inflammatory arthritis -- osteoarthritis -- psoriatic arthritis -- rheumatoid arthritis -- spondyloarthritis -- work disability; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Asia -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Rheumatic Diseases -- Periodicals; Connective Tissue Diseases -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.723
• DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.13864
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-1841

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: We aimed to characterize work disability in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatic diseases and compare work characteristics between patients with rheumatic diseases and controls without rheumatic diseases at diagnosis. Methods: Patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and osteoarthritis (OA), surrogates for autoimmune and non‐autoimmune rheumatic diseases, respectively, and controls of working age were surveyed at diagnosis. Patients with rheumatic diseases who were employed before symptom onset were characterized as having work disability if they reported reduced work ability and productivity while remaining in the same job as before symptom onset, changed to a less demanding job or stopped working/retired. Work characteristics at diagnosis were compared between rheumatic diseases patients and controls. Results: The unemployment rate before symptom onset was lower in patients with IA (20%) compared to patients with OA (32%). Among patients with IA and OA who were employed before symptom onset, 59% and 43% reported work disability, respectively ( P = .04). The unemployment rate at diagnosis was comparable in patients with IA (26%) and higher in patients with OA (38%) compared to controls (29%). Employed patients with IA and OA, when compared with controls, reported poorer work ability (score: 37 vs 39 vs 41, P < .01; proportion with poor/moderate work ability: 48% vs 33% vs 21%, P < .01) and greater work productivity loss (score: 32 vs 29 vs 17, P < .01) at diagnosis. Conclusion: Rheumatic diseases impose significant work disability at diagnosis, highlighting the need for identification and interventions targeting work disability early in the course of disease.