The impact of rheumatoid arthritis on work and predictors of overall work impairment from three therapeutic scenarios

Abstract

Aim: To examine the effects of three treatment scenarios in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on work and to determine potential predictors of work impairment. Materials & methods: Moderate RA patients received etanercept 50 mg weekly plus methotrexate (E50/MTX) for 36 weeks. Those with Disease Activity Score 28 ≤3.2 at week 36 and ≤3.2 from weeks 12–36 were randomized to E50/MTX, etanercept 25 mg weekly/MTX or placebo/MTX for 52 weeks. Results: Work-related components of the Work Productivity Activity Impairment questionnaire significantly improved with E50/MTX, which were maintained at week 88. Age, overall work impairment, disease duration, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index score >0.5, and pain visual analog scale were significantly predictive of overall work impairment. Conclusion: E50/MTX maintained significant improvements in Work Productivity Activity Impairment:RA. Prediction of potential work impairment may help improve RA work-related issues.