Abstract
BackgroundTo 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.MethodsInternational 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsRA 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.
Highlights
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and proliferation in the synovial tissue of joints, leading to cartilage damage and joint destruction [1,2,3]
Patients were included from May/2012 to September/2015 in 18 rheumatology public and private clinics from four Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico
Patients diagnosed with RA identified in outpatient routine visits were invited to participate and were included if they met the eligibility criteria: Age between 21 and 55 years; documented diagnosis of RA as defined by the revised 1987 classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) [15]; and willing to provide informed consent to participate in the study
Summary
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and proliferation in the synovial tissue of joints, leading to cartilage damage and joint destruction [1,2,3]. Irreversible damage occurs early and continue throughout the patient’s life [4,5,6]. Aggressive treatment in early RA has shown to reduce functional disability over time, and positively influence employment [12, 13]. Lack of optimal control leads to joint damage and loss of physical function, work impairment, and permanent work disability. Unceasing joint injury and irreversible loss of physical functioning will negatively impact patients’ work performance and/or employability. 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
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