Sick leave and work disability in patients with early arthritis

Abstract

We studied the occurrence of sick leave and work disability, the presence of workplace adaptations and the usage of professional guidance related to working problems in patients with early arthritis. Inclusion criteria were arthritis symptoms of less than 2 years duration and a paid job at the time of diagnosis. Assessments were done in connection with an early arthritis clinic (EAC) at entry into the cohort and 12 months thereafter by means of a questionnaire comprising questions on sick leave (absenteeism from work reported to the employer), work disability (receiving a full or partial work disability pension), unemployment, work adaptations and professional guidance related to working problems. Fifty-seven of the 69 participants (83%) had an arthritis symptom duration of <6 months. The number of patients with sick leave due to arthritis in the past 12 months decreased from 28 (41%) at study entry to 18 (26%) after 12 months of follow-up. The number of patients receiving a work disability pension increased from 5 (7%) at study entry to 13 (19%) after 12 months of follow-up (10 partial and 3 full). Sick leave in the 12 months before study entry appeared to be the most important predictor of the institution or increase in a work disability pension (odds ratio, 16.1; 95%CI, 1.8-142.8). Between study entry and follow-up, the number of patients with workplace adaptations increased from 20 (29%) to 28 (42%), whereas the number of patients receiving vocational guidance decreased from 48 (70%) to 36 (52%). In patients with early arthritis and a paid job, arthritis-related sick leave was common and occurred in part before patients entered the EAC and a diagnosis was made. About 20% of the patients became permanently work disabled, with partial work disability being more common than full work disability. Considerable proportions of patients received workplace adaptations and professional guidance with working problems.

Work and sick leave among patients with early inflammatory joint conditions

“…Similarly, in a longer period of 12 months, Zirkzee et al (15) described sick leave for Ͼ2 weeks in 41% of patients with early arthritis. Sick leave was also more frequently observed among workers with arthritis and related joint disorders than in a comparison group in the US (32).…”

Early rheumatoid arthritis 6 years after diagnosis is still associated with high direct costs and increasing loss of productivity: the Swedish TIRA project

“…Patients selected for biological therapy during the first years had usually been on sick leave for a long time and this might reflect that patients with severe disease and disability had limited success in returning to work (23). Previous data on working capacity after introduction of biological treatment are conflicting.…”

Work Status and Related Variables in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

“…[1,2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Earlier studies suggested that the majority of AS patients did not experience work disability, but more recent studies concluded that work disability in AS appeared worthy of increased attention. [3][4][5]11] Ankylosing spondylitis and RA are chronic disabling conditions having a socioeconomic impact on family and society. One would expect to know which diseases have more of an impact on socioeconomic consequences.…”

“…Although AS and RA both influence quality of life and work status, there are only a few studies comparing the work status and related determinants between these two rheumatic conditions. [5,11,12] The aim of this study was to determine and compare the work status in patients with RA and AS and also to define the related factors on work disability in these patient groups.…”

“…[5,11,12] Work disability among persons with RA is estimated to occur in 22-44% of all cases. [11] Previous studies from developing countries have reported similar rates of work disability up to 13-67% in their RA patients.…”