Changes In Work Productivity Research Articles

Computerized Cognitive Training in the Older Workforce: Effects on Cognition, Life Satisfaction, and Productivity

Background: The accelerated aging of the world’s population will lead to an increase in the number of older people in the workforce. Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) is effective in improving cognitive outcomes, but its benefits for older workers remain controversial. We investigate the real-world efficacy of CCT in the workplace, focusing on employees aged 50+ years from a public sector agency. Methods: Case managers (n = 82) were randomized to either an intervention group (24 40 min CCT sessions two times per week) or a waiting list passive control group. Cognitive ability, well-being, job satisfaction, and productivity outcome measures were collected and assessed before and after CCT or the comparable control wait time. Results: Participants undergoing CCT improved on a task of executive functioning (p = 0.04). There was a trend toward a change in work productivity after CCT (p = 0.09), with the control group showing a significant decrease (p = 0.02), while the intervention group remained stable. Conclusions: CCT during office hours has a positive effect on cognition and well-being without affecting productivity among white-collar office workers. CCT could be considered as an intervention to support the older workforce in managing the cognitive and behavioral challenges of changing workplace demands.

Quantifying value loss due to presenteeism and absenteeism in workers’ compensation spinal patients

BackgroundRecent studies suggest that better outcomes in work productivity following spine surgery eventually offset the higher cost of treatment. By analyzing preoperative and postoperative changes in work productivity, studies can determine if surgery is cost-effective and give patients valuable information about treatment. Prior studies reviewing outcomes in work performance after spine surgery have largely excluded patients on workers’ compensation from the overall cost analysis. MethodsA retrospective review of 92 eligible patients was conducted. Evaluation of the EHR identified presenteeism and absenteeism from designated work restrictions. Statistical analyses were conducted using JMP Pro 17. ResultsAbout 84 (83%) spinal surgery cases were able to return to work, 60 (59%) were able to return to work with no restrictions, 26 (26%) received permanent work restrictions, and 12 (12%) were still undergoing treatment. 86 (85%) experienced presenteeism and 99 (98%) experienced absenteeism. Of the cases that were able to return to work without permanent work restrictions, the mean presenteeism length postoperatively was 287.4 days (median 191 days) and the mean absenteeism length postoperatively was 232.5 days (median 142 days). 72 patients were identified as having sedentary or nonsedentary labor. After excluding outliers, the average return-to-work length was 988.62 days for patients with sedentary employment types and 952.15 days for patients with nonsedentary employment types (p=.116). ConclusionFollowing spinal surgery, our worker's compensation patient population's return-to-work rate was at an average of 232.5 days (median of 142 days) for 83% of patients included in this study. This exhibited worse outcomes than a previous study's measurement excluding worker's compensation patients. Presenteeism length within our population contributed more to decreased work productivity postoperatively than absenteeism length. Our results found no significant difference in return-to-work length between patients with sedentary and nonsedentary employment types.

Recovering Work Productivity in a Population With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Unveiling the Value and Cost-Savings of a Digital Care Program.

To investigate potential savings obtained from restoring productivity in employees with chronic MSK pain through a digital care program (DCP). Secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal study assessing cumulative savings overall or across several industry sectors by analyzing changes in Work Productivity and Activities Impairment (WPAI questionnaire). Employees from 50 U.S. states started the program ( n = 5032). Significant improvements in productivity impairment were observed across all industries, yielding median cumulative savings from $151 (95% confidence interval [CI], 128-174) to $294 (95% CI, 286-303) per participant at treatment end. Twelve-month projections estimated median savings of $2916 (95% CI, 2861-2972). Additionally, significant improvements in non-work-related daily activities were observed. This study underlines the burden of MSK-related productivity loss on employers' financial balance, illustrating the importance of a DCP to assist patients to recover quality of life and succeed professionally.

(155) The Erectile Restoration Registry: It MATTERS

Abstract Introduction Treatment methodology for erectile dysfunction can vary from surgeon to surgeon. The It MATTERS registry has been developed to align prospective, long-term, real-world outcomes with current clinical practice. It MATTERS is an immediate avenue (following market approval of a product) to collect and monitor real-world data on existing and future innovation, with respect to Boston Scientific’s penile prostheses (2- and 3-piece inflatable, and malleable), Rear Tip Extenders, surgical tools (sterile and non-sterile), accessories, kits, and all included components. This includes, but is not limited to, the Furlow Insertion Tool, Disposable Dilators, Sizers, Insertion Package (tubing passers), Proximal Tool, Quick Connect Assembly Tool, AMS Closing Tool, and the Deactivation Package. Objective Description of a real-world registry that evaluates erectile function, post-penile prosthesis implantation, over time. Methods It MATTERS is a single-arm, prospective, multi-center registry with follow-up occurring post-surgery and at 6 months, 12 months, and annually, thereafter. Subjects will serve as their own control; follow-up assessments will be compared to values collected at baseline. The registry is designed to capture the wide array of immediate, post-surgery follow-up schedules without dictating a specific visit cadence. Following signature of an informed consent, eligible subjects are treated with a Boston Scientific penile prosthesis. The registry will enroll over the lifetime of each device, allowing for up to 150 active subjects in follow-up, per device. Results Registry endpoints include measuring change in erectile function from baseline using the Erectile Function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF), change in depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, overall sexual function using the IIEF Total Score, and change in work productivity using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health (WPAI:GH). Additional measures, amongst many, include patient-reported device satisfaction using a 5-point Likert scale and adverse events. For each penile prothesis group in the registry, a two-sided 95% confidence interval may be constructed for interpreting the change in IIEF-EF score over time compared to baseline. Descriptive statistics will summarize continuous and categorical variables. Currently, 51 penile prosthesis implants have been completed: Tactra™ Malleable Penile Prosthesis (n = 34), Spectra™ Concealable Penile Prosthesis (n = 9), and AMS Ambicor™ Inflatable Penile Prosthesis (2-piece; n = 8). Conclusions The It MATTERS registry builds on over 50 years of erectile dysfunction patient care and data. It will allow for the comparison of outcomes and clinical practice on legacy and new market-approved products, which will pave the way for future innovation and advancing patient care. Disclosure Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: Industry initiated, executed, and funded registry. All authors act as consultants, employees, or shareholders of Boston Scientific Corporation. Clarification: Industry initiated, executed and funded study. Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Boston Scientific Corporation.

P683 Economic impact of achieving mucosal healing on UC-related hospitalisations and work productivity in patients with moderately to severely active UC: A post-hoc analysis of risankizumab Phase 2b/3 trials

Abstract Background The value of endoscopic-histologic healing is incompletely understood, and definitions are variable. We assessed the clinical and economic value of achieving mucosal healing in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) by evaluating the relationship of histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement (HEMI) and subsequent UC-related hospitalisation and work productivity, and associated costs in the United States (US); United Kingdom (UK); and France, Germany, Italy, and Spain (EU4). Methods Data from the risankizumab (RZB) INSPIRE induction (NCT03398148) and COMMAND maintenance (NCT03398135) studies were analysed. The number of UC-related hospitalisations was compared in patients who achieved HEMI or no HEMI using a chi-square test. The mean percent changes in Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)-UC domains from baseline to induction week 12 and maintenance week 52 were compared in patients who achieved HEMI or no HEMI using analysis of variance test. Hospitalisation and work productivity differences during induction and maintenance were converted to annualised costs based on average earnings and hospitalisation cost inputs from US, UK, and EU4. Results UC-related hospitalisations were significantly lower in patients who achieved HEMI at induction week 12 than those who did not (0% vs 2.9%, p≤0.05). A similar result was found at maintenance week 52, but the difference was not significant. In patients who achieved HEMI vs no HEMI, a greater mean change in activity impairment, impairment while working, and overall work impairment from baseline to induction week 12 was observed (p≤0.001). Improvements were sustained at maintenance week 52 for patients who achieved HEMI vs those who did not. Estimated annualised cost benefits from maintenance data for UC-related hospitalisations in patients who achieved HEMI was $490 in the US, £29 in the UK, and €28–€58 in EU4. Greater monetised benefits accrued from work productivity gains, where estimated annualised cost savings were $5,085 in the US, £3,507 in the UK, and €3,240–€4,456 in EU4. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that patients treated with RZB who achieved HEMI had fewer UC-related hospitalisations and greater improvement in work productivity and ability to perform daily activities than those who did not, which results in moderate direct cost savings and substantial indirect cost savings to healthcare systems in the US, UK, and EU4.

Digital transformation of high-performing teams

The paper studies the impact of the covid-19 pandemic and shift to remote work on team productivity. The purpose of the article is to analyze changes in agile team performance in a virtual format of work and to analyze risks and opportunities for management solutions to maintain or improve their work productivity. The study provides a literature review and empirical analysis of high-performing teams in the Russian companies. In the empirical part, the authors first conduct interviews with heads of HR-departments to collect general information on high-performing teams and risks, appeared after transition to remote work, and then study opinions of high-performing teams’ members to assess their own attitude to changes in work productivity in 2019-2021. In the result section the authors show changes in the management views and recognition of the hybrid and virtual team capabilities and demonstrate that recent agile team concepts are based more on partially-remote work and focus on individual rather than collaborative work and face-to-face work periods for innovative activities and team-building of agile project members as the way to maintain their high productivity.

Validation and meaningful within-patient change in work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire (WPAI) for episodic or chronic migraine

BackgroundNo available studies demonstrate validity and meaningful change thresholds of Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire in patients with migraine. In this post-hoc analysis, we assessed reliability, validity, responsiveness, and meaningful within-patient change from baseline to Month 3 for Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) domain scores in patients with episodic migraine (EM) or chronic migraine (CM).MethodThe Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled CONQUER study (NCT03559257, N = 462) enrolled patients with EM or CM who failed two to four categories of prior preventive medication in past ten years. The analyses were performed for WPAI domain scores (absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work productivity, and non-work-related activity impairment). Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire version 2.1 (MSQv2.1) domain scores (Role Function-Restrictive [RFR] and Role Function-Preventive [RFP]), and monthly migraine headache days were used as anchors. Responder criteria were changes from baseline to Month 3 for each of these anchors and were defined as: increase in MSQ-RFR by ≥ 25.71 points and MSQ-RFP by ≥ 20.00 points and a 50% reduction in monthly migraine headache days. Assessments were performed for overall population, and patients with EM or CM. The meaningful change threshold was determined based on Youden index, Phi coefficient and sensitivity.ResultsOf 462 randomized patients, 444 who completed WPAI questionnaire were included in post-hoc analysis. Test–retest reliability over 3 months in a stable subgroup revealed moderate correlations for non-work-related Activity Impairment (ICC = 0.446) presenteeism (ICC = 0.438) and a fair correlation for overall work productivity loss (ICC = 0.360). At baseline, all correlations between WPAI domain scores and continuous anchor variables exceeded recommended threshold of ≥ 0.30, except for WPAI domain scores with number of monthly migraine headache days. Patients achieving pre-specified responsiveness thresholds for monthly migraine headache days, and MSQ-RFP, MSQ-RFR from baseline to Month 3 (responders) showed significant improvements in WPAI domain scores compared with non-responders (P < 0.001). The meaningful change thresholds of -20 (% unit) were identified for WPAI domain scores.ConclusionIn conclusion, WPAI has sufficient validity, reliability, responsiveness, and appropriate interpretation standards to assess the impact of EM or CM on presenteeism and overall work productivity loss and non-work-related activity impairment.Trial registrationNCT number of CONQUER study, NCT03559257.

Impact on productivity impairment of a digital care program for chronic low back pain: A prospective longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability in the United States and the main reason for absenteeism. Successful management of chronic LBP (CLBP) is dependent on multimodal evidence-based interventions. Digital interventions (DI) may ease accessibility to such treatments, increasing adherence, while reducing healthcare-related costs. ObjectivesAssess the impact of a completely remote multimodal DI on productivity impairment in a real-work context cohort of patients with CLBP. DesignLongitudinal study. MethodsAd-hoc analysis of an interventional, single-arm study of individuals with CLBP undergoing a DI for 12 weeks. Outcomes included the mean change in work productivity and activity impairment (including overall and non-work related activities), pain, depression, anxiety, fear-avoidance beliefs, analgesic usage, and engagement. Minimal clinically important change (MCIC) was calculated for productivity using anchor- and distribution-based methods. ResultsFrom 560 patients at program start, 78.4% completed the DI. A significant improvement in overall productivity (20.21, 95%CI: 16.48–23.94) and in non-work related activities (21.36, 95%CI: 17.49–25.22) was observed, corresponding to a responder rate of 57.1–83.3% and 60.5–79.8%, respectively, and depending on the MCIC method. Significant improvements were reported for pain (2.32 points, 95%CI: 2.02–2.61), anxiety (5.24, 95%CI: 4.18–6.29), depression (6.38, 95%CI: 4.78–7.98) and fear-avoidance beliefs (8.11, 95%CI: 6.20–10.02). Both engagement (sessions per week) and patient satisfaction scores were high, 2.9 (SD 1.0) and 8.8/10 (SD 1.6), respectively. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the utility of a multimodal DI to address productivity impairment. DIs have great potential to ease the burden of CLBP, providing an accessible and cost-effective modality of care. Trial registrationThe study was approved by the New England IRB (protocol number 120190313) and prospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04092946, on September 17th, 2019.

When Disruption is the New Normal: The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Technical Services in US Academic Libraries

As college campuses closed for in-person classes and shifted to online instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, US academic libraries also scrambled to provide continued access to library services and resources to support remote learning, teaching, and research. One important question is how academic library technical services responded to the public health emergency and adapted to new challenges to continue to serve the academic community. This paper illustrates a survey study that investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on US academic library technical services units in terms of disruptions and alterations of existing normal operations. The study revealed that technical services librarians and staff made determined efforts to continue performing as much of their pre-pandemic work as possible under the challenging circumstances. Unsurprisingly, library collection building practices and collection budgets were seriously affected by the pandemic. The study also showed the limitations of institutional preparedness and response to the public health emergency. Lastly, the study explored the personal experiences and perceptions of working from home during the pandemic and found no significant changes in work productivity, motivation, or concentration.

Evaluation of the Effect of Patient Education and Strengthening Exercise Therapy Using a Mobile Messaging App on Work Productivity in Japanese Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: Open-Label, Randomized, Parallel-Group Trial.

BackgroundArtificial intelligence–assisted interactive health promotion systems are useful tools for the management of musculoskeletal conditions.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the effects of web-based video patient education and strengthening exercise therapy, using a mobile messaging app, on work productivity and pain in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) receiving pharmacological treatment.MethodsPatients with CLBP were randomly allocated to either the exercise group, who received education and exercise therapy using a mobile messaging app, or the conventional group. For patient education, a web-based video program was used to provide evidence-based thinking regarding the importance of a cognitive behavioral approach for CLBP. The exercise therapy was developed in accordance with the recommendations for alignment, core muscles, and endogenous activation, including improvement of posture and mobility for proper alignment, stimulation and/or strengthening of deep muscles for spinal stability, and operation of intrinsic pain for the activation of endogenous substances by aerobic exercise. Both groups continued to receive the usual medical care with pharmacological treatment. The end points were changes in work productivity, pain intensity, quality of life, fear of movement, and depression. The observation period for this study was 12 weeks. An analysis adjusted for baseline values, age at the time of consent acquisition, sex, and willingness to strengthen the exercise therapy was performed.ResultsThe exercise and conventional groups included 48 and 51 patients, with a mean age of 47.9 years (SD 10.2 years; n=27, 56.3% male patients) and 46.9 years (SD 12.3 years; n=28, 54.9% male patients) in the full analysis set, respectively. No significant impact of these interventions on work productivity was observed in the exercise group compared with the conventional group (primary end point: Quantity and Quality method; 0.062 vs 0.114; difference between groups −0.053, 95% CI −0.184 to 0.079; P=.43). However, the exercise group showed consistently better trends for the other end points than did the conventional group. Compared with the conventional group, the exercise group showed a significant improvement in the symptoms of low back pain (3.2 vs 3.8; difference between groups −0.5, 95% CI −1.1 to 0.0; P=.04), quality of life (EuroQoL 5 Dimensions 5 Level: 0.068 vs 0.006; difference between groups 0.061, 95% CI 0.008 to 0.114; P=.03), and fear of movement at week 12 (−2.3 vs 0.5; difference between groups −2.8, 95% CI −5.5 to −0.1; P=.04).ConclusionsThis study suggests that patient education and strengthening exercise therapy using a mobile messaging app may be useful for treating CLBP. This study does not reveal the effect of therapeutic interventions on CLBP on work productivity. Thus, further research is required to assess work productivity with therapeutic interventions.Trial RegistrationUniversity Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000041037; https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000046866

Improvement in Work Productivity After Group Voice Therapy in Professional Voice Users

A disordered voice may significantly impair the ability of workers to perform optimally on the job, especially those classified as professional voice users (PVU). Voice therapy is a common treatment option for voice disorders, but there are few studies demonstrating its effect on work productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the change in work productivity in PVU after group voice therapy. Prospective cohort study SETTING: Academic Voice Center METHODS: PVUs whose primary treatment for their voice disorder was voice therapy were recruited. Participants completed a 7-week group voice therapy course from January 2018 to December 2020. Participants completed the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI) which measured presenteeism (on the job work productivity impairment) and absenteeism (time missed from work), general self-efficacy scale (GSES), and Voice handicap index -10 (VHI-10) before and after group voice therapy. Changes in scores before and after therapy were compared using a Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. Twenty-seven PVU were recruited; 25 had complete data (100% female, mean age 45.4 years, 68% teachers). Presenteeism (SD) decreased from 72.0% (23.3) to 36.8% (24.8), which represented a significant improvement of 35.2% (27.8) [95% CI 21.7-38.7; P < 0.001]. Activity impairment decreased from 48.4% (32.0) to 25.6% (23.8), which represented a significant improvement of 22.8% (26.5) [95% CI 20.7-37.0; P < 0.00]. There was no change in absenteeism (P = 0.27). Patients had high mean GSES of 34.4 (3.7) and abnormal mean VHI-10 of 18.2 (7.2). Changes in VHI-10 and GSES were not significant. PVU had an improvement in work productivity that was largely represented by decreased presenteeism after completing group voice therapy.

The Societal Economic Impact of Secukinumab in First-Line Treatment of Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis in Germany: An Open-Cohort Simulation

ObjectivesModerate to severe plaque psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease. In Germany, guidelines recommend fumaric acid esters (FAEs) as first-line systemic treatment. Despite treatment with FAEs, disease burden remains high in Germany. Secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated greater efficacy and safety than FAEs in the PRIME trial. The aim of the current study, hence, is to quantify the potential societal economic impact of secukinumab in systemic treatment-naïve patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in Germany.MethodsWe employed a semi-Markov model to capture health gains at an individual level and a dynamic population model to extrapolate the findings in the population of interest. We quantified the health outcomes in two scenarios: (i) patients receiving secukinumab and (ii) patients receiving FAEs. Using estimates on change in work productivity and societal economic parameters, we translated the health outcomes into paid and unpaid economic gains. We used gross value added (GVA) to value these gains and calculated the macroeconomic indirect and induced value-chain effects.ResultsOur calculations show that patients treated with secukinumab spend on average 94% of their time in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≥ 75 state compared with 80% for patients in the FAEs scenario. When assuming that FAEs are the sole comparator to secukinumab, this difference could lead to 4.3 million active hours gained until 2030. These gained hours translate to a total societal economic impact of €308 million till 2030 for the whole patient population in GVA terms.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that using secukinumab instead of FAEs in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis could lead to substantial macroeconomic GVA gains.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41669-021-00305-3.

Real-world data on change in work productivity, activity impairment, and quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis under anti-TNF therapy: a postmarketing, noninterventional, observational study.

To understand change in work productivity, activity impairment, quality of life (QoL), and disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment. One hundred twenty patients with PsA receiving anti-TNF therapy were recruited to this noninterventional, observational study. Work disability was assessed via the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire and disease activity was calculated via the 28-joint Disease Activity Score using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) and Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis with 28 joints (DAPSA28) score. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs), from visual analog scores and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index scores, were evaluated to understand the clinical effectiveness at baseline and every 3months until the month-9 final visit. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20/50/70 response criteria were assessed at month 9. A total of 120 patients (females, n = 73) were enrolled in the study. Mean (SD) age and disease duration were 41.6 ± 11.1years and 6.9 ± 6.5years, respectively. The most commonly used TNFα inhibitor was adalimumab (42.4%), followed by etanercept (25.8%). All WPAI questionnaire parameters were reduced at the follow-up visits compared with baseline (p < 0.001 for all). PROs and disease activity indicators (DAS28-CRP and DAPSA28) significantly improved during the course of anti-TNF treatments (p < 0.001 for all). Additionally, ACR20/50/70 responses were determined as 86.8%, 63.7%, and 41.8% of patients at the month-9 visit. The real-world data in PsA patients receiving anti-TNF treatment showed improvement in WPAI, QoL, and disease activity over 9months of treatment. NCT02028169 Key Points • Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with debilitating effects on quality of life, occurs mostly in young adults and has negative impacts on employment status and work productivity. • Early PsA diagnosis and treat-to-target treatment strategies aim to reduce pain and joint damage, as well as improve work productivity. • Real-world data on the impact of treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents on work productivity in PsA in the literature is scarce. • Our study of real-world data in patients with PsA receiving anti-TNF treatment showed improvement in work productivity, as well as in clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

939Longitudinal trends of work productivity in a representative sample of Australians living with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background studies have documented increased employment rates and MS-related work productivity loss in people living with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Little is known about the longitudinal trends of work productivity of PwMS. Objectives To describe the longitudinal patterns of work productivity of PwMS, and examine the factors associated with longitudinal change of work productivity of PwMS. Methods Study participants were from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS) followed from 2015 to 2018 (n = 2724) who were employed. We described the longitudinal patterns of work productivity and determined the correlates of the changes in work productivity of PwMS. We used linear mixed effect modelling to analyse the data. Results From our mixed effect model analysis, feelings of depression, walking difficulties, and spasticity problems were independently associated with -1.45 (-1.95 to -0.95), -1.35 (-1.98 to -0.72) and -1.04 (-1.63 to -0.45) per annum change in work productivity respectively. Annual changes in MS symptom clusters: difficulties with walking, balance and spasticity; anxiety and depression; and fatigue and cognitive symptoms were independently associated with -2.53 (-3.53 to -1.52), -1.51 (-2.27 to -0.74), -0.86 (-1.67 to -0.06) percent annual change in work productivity of PwMS respectively. Conclusion Symptoms cluster like ‘difficulties with walking, balance and spasticity’, ‘feelings of anxiety and depression’, and ‘fatigue and cognitive symptoms’ impact significantly on work productivity. Key messages MS related annual work productivity loss is marginal but is strongly driven by annual changes in walking difficulties, feelings of depression and spasticity problems

Patient- and physician-reported outcomes from two phase 3 randomized studies (RAJ3 and RAJ4) of peficitinib (ASP015K) in Asian patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundPeficitinib (ASP015K), a novel oral Janus kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study evaluated the effect of peficitinib on patient- and physician-reported outcomes in Asian patients with RA and an inadequate response to prior disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).MethodsPatients from two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trials (RAJ3 and RAJ4) received once-daily peficitinib 100 mg, peficitinib 150 mg, or placebo, alone or in combination with DMARDs (RAJ3), or in combination with methotrexate (RAJ4). Mean changes in Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire domain scores from baseline, and percentages of patients achieving minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for patient- and physician-reported outcomes (WPAI, Health Assessment Questionnaire – Disability Index [HAQ-DI], and Subject’s Global Assessment of Pain [SGAP]), and Physician’s Global Assessment of disease activity (PGA) were evaluated at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 12/early termination (ET).ResultsData from 1025 patients were analyzed. At week 12/ET in both studies, patients who received peficitinib 100 mg or 150 mg reported significantly improved WPAI domain scores from baseline (except for absenteeism in RAJ4) compared with placebo (both doses, p<0.05). A higher proportion of peficitinib- versus placebo-treated patients achieved MCID in WPAI, HAQ-DI, SGAP, and PGA in studies RAJ3 and RAJ4. Significant differences with peficitinib versus placebo were evident in both studies as early as week 4 in HAQ-DI (peficitinib 150 mg only), SGAP, and PGA, and week 8 in WPAI loss of work productivity and daily activity impairment. At week 12/ET, significantly higher proportions of patients receiving peficitinib versus placebo achieved MCID in HAQ-DI, SGAP, PGA, and WPAI domains of presenteeism (RAJ3 only), loss of work productivity (RAJ3 only), and daily activity impairment (p<0.05 for all comparisons).ConclusionsPeficitinib 100 mg or 150 mg administered daily over 12 weeks resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in outcomes that are important to RA patients, including pain, physical function, and work productivity and activity. These observations were reinforced through similar improvements in physicians’ rating of disease activity.Trial registrationRAJ3: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02308163, registered 4 December 2014.RAJ4: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02305849, registered 3 December 2014.

Golimumab improves work productivity in patients suffering from moderate to severe ulcerative colitis: results of a prospective study over 24\xa0months

BackgroundUlcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with recurrent episodes of debilitating symptoms negatively affecting work productivity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The use of biologics in UC treatment improves work and HRQoL but prospective long-term data concerning the treatment with TNFα inhibitor golimumab in UC patients are still rare. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the change in work productivity, capacity for daily activities and HRQoL in UC patients treated with golimumab in Germany.MethodsUsing the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, the change in work productivity and in capacity for daily activities after 3 months and over the whole observational period of 24 months were assessed (both primary endpoints). Disease-specific and health-related quality of life (QoL) were analyzed with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), the Short-Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-12), and the Partial Mayo Score (secondary endpoints). Further, disease-related hospitalization rates were assessed.ResultsThis prospective non-interventional study included 286 patients. Thereof, 212 patients were employed at baseline (modified intention to treat analysis set employed at baseline, mITTe). 61.3% of the mITTe patients had moderate and 17.0% had severe UC. Three months after initiation of golimumab therapy, total work productivity impairment (TWPI) score and activity impairment score improved significantly from baseline with a mean change of − 17.3% (p < 0.0001) and − 14.4% (p < 0.0001), respectively. Results persisted over 24 months (mean change TWPI score: − 24.5%, mean change activity impairment score: − 30.0%). Disease- and health-related QoL also improved significantly under golimumab treatment as indicated by increased IBDQ [mean change: 28.0 (SD: ± 36.1, month 3), 42.1 (SD: ± 39.5, month 24)] and SF-12 scores [PCS-12: 45.9 (SD: ± 8.5), MCS-12: 4.9 (SD: ± 10.6, month 3), PCS-12: 5.9 (SD: ± 9.0), MCS-12: 6.4 (SD: ± 11.1, month 24)]. Disease-related hospitalization rate decreased from 16.0% (BL) to 4.3% at month 24 and the mean number of missed working days due to UC decreased from 8.2 (SD: 17.6, BL) to 0.7 (SD: 2.1) after golimumab induction.ConclusionsGolimumab leads to notable long-term improvements in work productivity, daily activity, HRQoL, and disease-related hospitalization rates in patients with moderate to severe UC.Trial registration: PEI (Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany) Registration Nr: NIS#255 (https://www.pei.de/SharedDocs/awb/nis-0201-0300/0255.html)

Changes in multiple sclerosis symptoms are associated with changes in work productivity of people living with multiple sclerosis

Background: While employment rates have increased in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), little is known about the longitudinal trends of work productivity. Objective: To describe the longitudinal patterns of work productivity and examine the factors associated with annual change of work productivity of PwMS. Methods: Study participants were employed participants of the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS) followed from 2015 to 2019 with at least two repeated measures (n = 2121). We used linear mixed models to examine if the within-individual variations in MS symptoms are associated with changes in work productivity. Results: The mean annual change in work productivity between 2015 and 2019 was −0.23% (SD = 18.68%). Not the actual severity of symptoms but rather the changes in severity of symptoms that are associated with change in work productivity in the same year. In a multivariable model, every unit increase in mean annual change in ‘pain and sensory symptoms’, ‘feelings of anxiety and depression’, and ‘fatigue and cognitive symptoms’ were independently associated with 2.43%, 1.55% and 1.01% annual reductions in work productivity, respectively. Conclusion: Individual changes in work productivity are largely driven by the changes in symptom severity rather than the absolute severity. Stabilising/improving MS symptoms might improve work productivity.

Association of Severity of Dry Eye Disease with Work Productivity and Activity Impairment in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study

To evaluate the association of dry eye disease (DED) severity with work productivity and activity impairment. Longitudinal, observational study within a randomized clinical trial. People with moderate to severe DED who enrolled in the multicenter Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) study. Participants completed the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire at 0, 6, and 12 months and were assessed in parallel for symptoms and signs (conjunctival and corneal staining, tear film break-up time [TBUT], and Schirmer test) of DED. Associations of work productivity and activity impairment with symptom and signs were evaluated with linear regression models using generalized estimating equations and controlling for demographics and comorbidities. Work productivity (employment, absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work impairment) and activity impairment. Among 535 participants at baseline, 279 (52%) were employed, and mean activity impairment was 24.5%. Among those employed, the mean score was 2% for absenteeism, 18% for presenteeism, and 19.6% for overall work impairment. Higher Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) symptom scores were associated with greater absenteeism, presenteeism, and activity impairment. Overall work impairment and activity impairment were greater by 4.3% and 4.8%, respectively, per 10-unit difference in OSDI score (P < 0.001). Longitudinal increases (worsening) in OSDI scores were associated with increasing impairment in work and non-work-related activity: 2.0% and 3.1% per 10 units in OSDI, respectively (P < 0.01). Worse corneal staining and TBUT were associated with higher overall work impairment and activity level (P ≤ 0.04). However, longitudinal changes in these two signs were not associated with changes in work productivity or activity impairment. Worse symptoms of DED are associated with decreased work productivity and activity level, both cross-sectionally (interindividually) and longitudinally within person (intraindividually). Corneal staining and TBUT are associated with interindividual differences but not intraindividual changes in work productivity and activity impairment.

The impact of WMS implementation on work productivity. The case of three distribution warehouses

Solutions of Industry 4.0 cover more and more areas of the economy. In logistics, digitization applies to each of the functional areas. Introducing IT solutions in logistics leads to an increase in the reliability of communication, faster stock rotation, and a higher level of service. It enables higher work efficiency and overall productivity. Changes in work productivity in three warehouses as a result of the implementation of a WMS class system and accompanying necessary changes in the equipment and organization of warehouse space was analysed in this work. The source of data for the analysis was the measurement of labour productivity for 12 months: three months before the implementation of the WMS and nine after its implementation. Work productivity after the implementation of the WMS increased by 40% compared to the level before it. The period of introducing WMS and obtaining an increase in personnel productivity was at least six months. Labour productivity in the analysed period increased in each month of the analysis. Only one of the three warehouses showed stabilization of workforce productivity at a level 50% higher than before the implementation. The research results confirm that the presence of WMS in the warehouse makes it possible to reach a significant increase in work productivity in warehouses.

The Effect of Reducing Insomnia Severity on Work- and Activity-Related Impairment

ABSTRACT Objective/background The effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) for alleviating sleep problems is well established. However, few studies have explored its impact on work productivity and activity. Participants Seventy-seven currently employed adults with insomnia disorder (59 females) recruited to a randomized trial of digital versus face-to-face CBT-I. Methods and Materials The general health version of the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire was used to measure absenteeism, presenteeism, total work impairment, and activity impairment. We assessed changes in work productivity and activity pre-to-post-therapy for the total sample and then for subgroups categorized according to response or remission of insomnia disorder (evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index). Results Study participants showed significant improvements in presenteeism (p = .001; Cohen’s d= 0.46), total work impairment (p < .001; d= 0.48), and activity (p < .001; d= 0.66), but not absenteeism (p = .51; d= 0.084) between baseline and follow-up assessment. Individuals meeting criteria for remission showed significantly greater improvement in presenteeism (p = .002), total work impairment (p < .001), and activity (p = .006), but not absenteeism (p = .064). Conclusion This study suggests that the benefits of CBT-I extend beyond improvement in sleep to encompass moderate-to-large improvements in work productivity and activity levels particularly for individuals who achieve remission from insomnia. Given the importance of these behaviors, there is a need for future large-scale randomized trials and cohort studies which should strive to include objective measurement of daytime activity and work performance more frequently.