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

Abstract

Objective. To assess work productivity (WP) loss during the first 3 years of disease in a cohort of patients with early arthritis (EA) diagnosed between 2002 and 2005. Methods. The ESPOIR (Etude et Suivi des Polyarthrites Indifférenciées Récentes) cohort included 813 EA patients; we included those of working age at baseline in the present study. WP loss was assessed by 3 components: sick leave, permanent disability, and early retirement. The proportion of affected patients and the mean number of days off work were assessed for each component. WP costs were estimated and determinants of positive and extreme costs were assessed by logistic regression models. Results. Among the 664 patients included, 81.6% were in the workforce at baseline. During the first 3 years of disease, 45% reported at least 1 sick leave day and 11% reported permanent disability. Only a few patients (1%) reported early retirement. The mean number of days on sick leave due to EA decreased regularly from 44 to 13, whereas the mean number of days on permanent disability tripled from 10 to 33. The mean annual cost was €1,333 (95% confidence interval €1,075-1,620). Sick leave longer than 30 days due to EA before inclusion and a decrease in mental and physical scores of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 at inclusion were independent determinants of positive and extreme costs in multivariate models. Conclusion. WP loss is substantial in EA patients and is due to permanent disability before the third year of disease. Work absence and poor mental and physical health status at baseline are major determinants of WP costs.

Swimming Against the Current: A Qualitative Review of the Work Experiences and Adaptations Made by Employees With Arthritis

“…Despite these challenges, employees with arthritis constantly explored and evaluated the utility of coping behaviors at work, in their personal lives, and in medical treatments to maintain their current level of work productivity and preserve employment for as long as possible. Consistent with previous research (8,10,40), having a job was not just about financial independence but was a way employees with arthritis could contribute to society, have a positive work identity, have structure to their life, manage symptoms better, and feel healthy and normal.…”

“…According to the National Health Interview Survey, approximately 54 million Americans ages ≤18 years have some form of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia (5), and nearly one-third report being limited in the type of work they can do or the number of hours they can work. Although treatments and therapies have improved over time, employees with arthritis continuously report problems carrying out their work, experience high absenteeism rates, and have low productivity levels (6)(7)(8)(9), which can result in work interruptions or employment loss (10,11).…”

Global economic burden of schizophrenia: a systematic review

“…Morbidity costs represent the monetary value of productivity loss due to absenteeism or sick leave (forgone work productivity), presenteeism (decreased work productivity), unemployment, permanent disability, and early retirement for patients, family members, or caregivers. 20 , 23 – 26 On the other hand, mortality cost is defined as the monetary value of lost production due to the premature death of the patient. 26 In addition, costs associated with other consequences such as incarceration are included.…”

“… 20 , 23 – 26 On the other hand, mortality cost is defined as the monetary value of lost production due to the premature death of the patient. 26 In addition, costs associated with other consequences such as incarceration are included. 27 …”

Early lessons from the recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis cohort ESPOIR

“…Data on this point are extremely scarce in France. Loss of work productivity (e.g., related to sick leaves) was highly significant during the first three years after disease onset and was chiefly ascribable to functional impairment (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ]) [21]. Obtaining a remission within six months after disease onset was associated with a decrease in the number of days off work during the first five years of the disease [22].…”