Work disability and its economic effect on 55-64-year-old adults with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective. To examine the extent and financial impact of work disability among older workers with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Year 2002 data from 5,419 subjects with RA <65 years of age in the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases were used, along with US population data. Measures of work disability were employment status, part-time work, sick day use, and limitation in work demands; the latter was assessed by the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ). Measures of financial status were median household income and poverty level income. Statistical procedures included logistic and linear regression, Wilcoxon's rank sum test, and chi-square test. Results. Despite being better educated, subjects with RA ages 55-64 years had lower employment rates than individuals of the same age in the US (women 40% versus 53% and men 54% versus 66%). These older subjects with RA had stopped working more often than younger subjects with RA, and more worked part time (40% versus 34%; P < 0.01). However, the older subjects used sick time less often than younger subjects (35% versus 41%; P < 0.01) and were similarly limited in job demands, e.g., physical demands (mean WLQ subscale score 27.0 versus 26.6; P ‫؍‬ 0.65). Median household income of older employed subjects was $20,000 greater than that of retired subjects; 56% of retired subjects had incomes lower than US median income versus 32% of employed subjects, and 11% had income below the poverty level. Conclusion. Premature work cessation in persons with RA ages 55-64 years is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

Availability, Need for, and Use of Work Accommodations and Benefits: Are They Related to Employment Outcomes in People With Arthritis?

“…Studies suggest that, despite improvements in treatment for rheumatic diseases, many individuals continue to report difficulties working, have elevated absenteeism rates, and report reduced productivity (1)(2)(3)(4). In addition to the physical symptoms of the disease creating difficulties for people in remaining employed, factors like job stress, symptom unpredictability, disruptions to work because of time needed for treatment, and employment factors like a lack of job control and absence of workplace support can create barriers to working (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20).…”

“…In particular, a number of nonpharmacologic interventions have been designed and evaluated in recent years (1,(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). Reviews suggest that many are comprehensive and target both physical and psychological difficulties working.…”

Work Productivity Loss in Early Arthritis During the First 3 Years of Disease: A Study From a French National Multicenter Cohort

“…Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disabling disease that typically affects people of working age, often resulting in absence from the work place (i.e., absenteeism), then job cessation (1)(2)(3). This situation has major consequences for society in terms of high economic burden and for individual patients.…”

Effect of the early use of the anti–tumor necrosis factor adalimumab on the prevention of job loss in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

“…The substantial impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on work disability and job loss has recently received considerable attention (1,2) and represents a significant economic burden (3)(4)(5). Recent developments in therapies targeted against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have changed the approach to RA treatment by rapidly controlling the disease, particularly in early disease (6,7) when the opportunity to prevent structural damage is critical.…”