Impact of ankylosing spondylitis on work and family life: Comparisons with the US population

Abstract

Objective. To examine the impact of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) on work disability, nonparticipation in the labor force, marriage, divorce, and childbearing. Methods. In this cross-sectional survey, we asked AS patients (n ‫؍‬ 591, 72.8% men, mean age 48.9 years) from the Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, and Washington, DC metropolitan areas about work and family life. The proportion of patients who were work disabled, did not participate in the labor force, had never been married, were divorced, or had a biological child were compared with the proportions expected for each outcome based on data from population surveys. Results. Patients with AS were more likely to be work disabled (13.3% versus 5.7%; P < 0.0001) and somewhat more likely to not participate in the labor force compared with the proportion expected (25.1% versus 21.8%; P ‫؍‬ 0.07). These associations were stronger among patients age >45 years and those with AS for >20 years. AS patients were more likely than expected to have never been married (22.8% versus 15.4%; P < 0.0001) or to be divorced (13.2% versus 10.0%; P ‫؍‬ 0.02). Women with AS were less likely than expected to have had children (54.7% versus 64.9%; P ‫؍‬ 0.02), but the proportion of men with AS who had children was not different from that of the general population. Conclusion. Patients with AS in this study were more likely to have never been married, more likely to be divorced, and more than twice as likely to be work disabled than members of the general population. Women with AS were also less likely to have had children than women in the general population.

Comparison in clinical features and life impact between juvenile-onset and adult-onset ankylosing spondylitis

“…In the present study, patients with JoAS showed significantly lower rates of getting married (P = 0.013) compared with patients with AoAS. The good news may be that only 1 patient in all of the 139 participants experienced divorce, which is inconsistent with a previous report (27). This might be partly related to the traditional Chinese approach towards marriage and family.…”

“…Marriage is no doubt an important part of life. Nevertheless, it is reported that AS patients may have low marriage rates and high rates of divorce (27). Patients with JoAS, however, may be facing an even worse marital situation.…”

“…It can lead to significant impairment not only of physical function but also of comprehensive quality of life in certain aspects (1,2). AS occurs predominantly in early adulthood, but can also occur in childhood.…”

Longitudinal Analyses of Presenteeism and Its Role as a Predictor of Sick Leave in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

“…The EASIC study was performed in 6 Western European countries. As mentioned previously, the magnitudes of productivity loss vary across countries (3)(4)(5)44,45). This variation may be attributed to the differences in organization of the social security system, to the levels of support for persons with a chronic disease, and probably to work culture (5).…”

Juvenile Versus Adult-Onset Ankylosing Spondylitis: Are We Comparing Apples and Oranges?

“…Depending on the population studied, its prevalence varies between 0.5% and 1% in white populations 1 . Most frequently presenting in early adulthood, AS can lead to substantial functional limitation in people of working age 2 . As such it presents a significant burden of morbidity and health care expenditure 3 .…”