Work productivity and activity impairment in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: a cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background The understanding of absenteeism, presenteeism, and impairments in daily activities among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is limited. We examined the impact of disease-specific factors of HS on work and daily life among a cohort of outpatients in a tertiary hospital setting.Methods Consecutive patients with HS were clinically evaluated and completed the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire modified for HS. Results A total of 100 patients were included. Among 57 (57.0%) patients who were employed, 21.2% reported missing work, and 60.4% reported loss of work productivity during the preceding week as a result of HS. The overall work productivity was reduced by 26.6%. Seventy-two percent reported daily activity impairment, averaging 32.7% reduction in daily activities. Moderate to strong correlations were observed between reduction in quality of life and the WPAI outcomes; presenteeism, overall work impairment, and activity impairment (r = 0.50-0.77). There were moderate correlations between disease severity and the same outcomes (r = 0.35-0.46). The mean rank of activity impairment among patients with Hurley stage I was 34.8, 60.1 for Hurley stage II, and 64.0 for Hurley stage III, P < 0.0001. Unemployed patients had higher activity impairment compared with employed patients (mean rank: 61.0 vs. 42.6, P = 0.001).Conclusion There are considerable rates of presenteeism, overall work impairment, and activity impairment in HS patients. Presenteeism, loss of overall work productivity, and activity impairment are positively correlated with greater disease severity and reduction in quality of life.

Quality of Life in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: An Update

“…The mean rank of activity impairment was 34.8 among patients with Hurley stage I, 60.1 for Hurley stage II and 64.0 for Hurley stage III, p < 0.0001. Unemployed patients had higher activity impairment compared with employed patients (mean rank: 61.0 vs. 42.6, p = 0.001) [ 66 ]. In another study, the DLQI, EuroQol-5 Dimensions scores and pain were significantly associated with presenteeism and at-work productivity loss [ 67 ].…”

“…Several studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between DLQI scores and HS severity (Hurley stages and modified Hurley stages) [ 65 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Many HS patients in these studies were unemployed and of those who had a job, many reported problems with presenteeism and overall work impairment that increased along with HS severity [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. Several recent studies have shown significant HRQoL improvement in patients treated with adalimumab [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 46 ].…”

Psychiatric comorbidities in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

“…Patients often have less productivity and take repeated sick leaves. 24,25 They are also more likely to have lower salaries compared to healthy individuals. 25 The associated physical pain could relate substance abuse.…”

“…Another factor contributing to depression could be factors associated with work. Patients often have less productivity and take repeated sick leaves 24,25 . They are also more likely to have lower salaries compared to healthy individuals 25 …”

Pilonidal Disease and Hidradenitis Suppurativa

“…Seventy-two percent of these patients reported daily activity impairment with moderate to strong correlations between reduction in quality of life and presenteeism, overall work impairment, and activity impairment. Activity impairment was higher among patients with Hurley stage III [88].…”