Burden of rheumatoid arthritis on patients’ work productivity and quality of life

Abstract

Background: To determine the burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) on patients' work productivity and health related quality of life (HRQoL), and examine the influence of several exposure variables; to analyze the progression of RA over 1 year and its impact on work productivity and HRQoL. Methods: International multicenter prospective survey including patients in 18 centers in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico with diagnosis of RA and aged between 21-55 years. The following standard questionnaires were completed at baseline and throughout a 1-year follow-up: WPAI:RA, WALS, WLQ-25, EQ-5D-3 L and SF-36. Clinical and demographic variables were also collected through interview. Results: The study enrolled 290 patients on baseline visit. Overall mean scores at baseline visit were: WPAI:RA (presenteeism) = 29.5% (SD = 28.8%); WPAI:RA (absenteeism) = 9.0% (SD = 23.2%); WPAI:RA (absenteeism and presenteeism) = 8.6% (SD = 22.6%); WALS = 9.0 (SD = 6.1); WLQ-25 = 7.0% (SD = 5.1%); SF-36 Physical Scale = 39.1 (SD = 10.3) and Mental Scale = 45.4 (SD = 11.3); EQ-5D-3 L VAS = 69.8 (SD = 20.4) and EQ-5D-3 L index = 0.67 (SD = 0.23). Higher educational levels were associated with better results in WLQ-25, while previous orthopedic surgeries reduced absenteeism results of WPAI:RA and work limitations in WLQ-25. Higher disease duration was associated with decreased HRQoL. Intensification of disease activity was associated with decreased work productivity and HRQoL, except in WLQ-25. In the longitudinal analysis, worsening in disease activity was associated with a decrease in both work productivity and HRQoL. Conclusions: RA patients are dealing with workplace disabilities and limitations and loss in HRQoL, and multiple factors seems to be associated with this. Worsening of disease activity further decreased work productivity and HRQoL, stressing the importance of disease tight control.

Soldiering on the Job When Ill: Productivity Costs in Connective Tissue Disease–associated Interstitial Lung Disease

“…The author’s findings complement earlier studies on the epidemic cannibalism of presenteeism over absenteeism on workplace productivity ( 5 , 9 , 10 ) and the potential effect of CTD on labor costs to organizations ( 11 , 12 ). The study underscores that absenteeism and disability costs incompletely gauge the total loss of productivity resulting from CTD-FILD and reminds us about the significance of screening and stopping the detrimental effects of presenteeism on employee patients’ well-being and work engagement before it starts.…”

Direct healthcare resource utilisation, health-related quality of life, and work productivity in patients with moderate rheumatoid arthritis: an observational study

“…Total work productivity loss (mean 29% in this study versus 33.5 and 43.2%) and activity impairment (mean 37% versus 48.1 and 56.2%) were lower than that reported in other studies which included patients with more severe disease [ 42 , 47 ]. However, work productivity loss was higher than that reported in a Latin American study (mean 8.6% across Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico) despite most patients classified as having high severity [ 48 ]. A European cross-sectional study of the impact of disease severity and duration on cost, early retirement, and ability to work in RA reported greater levels of work impairment with increased disease activity and pain level [ 5 ].…”

Health-related quality of life of patients presenting to the emergency department with a musculoskeletal disorder

“…arthritis, scoliosis, total joint replacement, etc. ), and not on a sample with a set of disorders representative of this population [39][40][41][42]. Considering the very high prevalence of MSKDs and the expected increase in the number of seniors in the next decade [3], a better understanding of factors impacting on health-related quality of life would help better manage patients with MSKDs and ED managers to better tailor ED services and resources to these patients.…”