RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Identifying Persons with Axial Spondyloarthritis At Risk of Poor Work Outcome: Results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 145
OP 152
DO 10.3899/jrheum.180477
VO 46
IS 2
A1 Gary J. Macfarlane
A1 Joanna Shim
A1 Gareth T. Jones
A1 Karen Walker-Bone
A1 Ejaz Pathan
A1 Linda E. Dean
YR 2019
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/46/2/145.abstract
AB Objective. First, to test the hypothesis that, among working patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), those who report issues with reduced productivity at work (presenteeism) are at higher risk of work absence (absenteeism), and patients who report absenteeism are at higher risk of subsequently leaving the workforce. Second, to identify characteristics of workers at high risk of poor work outcome.Methods. The British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register in Ankylosing Spondylitis has recruited patients meeting Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society criteria for axSpA from 83 centers. Data collection involved clinical and patient-reported measures at recruitment and annually thereafter, including the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scale. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify factors associated with poor work outcomes.Results. Of the 1188 participants in this analysis who were working at recruitment, 79% reported some presenteeism and 19% some absenteeism in the past week owing to their axSpA. Leaving employment was most strongly associated with previous absenteeism (RR 1.02 per % increase in absenteeism, 95% CI 1.01–1.03), which itself was most strongly associated with previous presenteeism, a labor-intensive job, and peripheral joint involvement. High disease activity, fatigue, a labor-intensive job, and poorer physical function were all independently associated with future presenteeism.Conclusion. Clinical and patient-reported factors along with aspects of work are associated with an increased risk of axSpA patients having a poor outcome in relation to work. This study has identified modifiable factors as targets, facilitating patients with axSpA to remain productive at work.