RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Work-Related Issues and Physical and Psychological Burden in Canadian Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis: Results From the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP jrheum.220596
DO 10.3899/jrheum.220596
A1 Robert D. Inman
A1 Marco Garrido-Cumbrera
A1 Jonathan Chan
A1 Martin Cohen
A1 Artur J. de Brum-Fernandes
A1 Wendy Gerhart
A1 Nigil Haroon
A1 Algis V. Jovaisas
A1 Gerald Major
A1 Michael G. Mallinson
A1 Sherry Rohekar
A1 Patrick Leclerc
A1 Proton Rahman
YR 2022
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2023/01/25/jrheum.220596.abstract
AB Objective To identify factors associated with work-related issues in Canadian patients with axial spondyloarthritis. Methods Data from 542 Canadian patients who participated in the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis online survey were analyzed. Participants who were employed, unemployed, or on short-term disability were included in this analysis. Regression analysis was used to study the association between work-related issues, disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI]), and psychological distress (12-item General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-12]). Results The mean age of surveyed participants was 44.3 (SD 13.9) years, 81% were university educated, and 52.6% employed. A substantial proportion had high disease activity (BASDAI ≥ 4, 72.1%) and psychological distress (GHQ-12 ≥ 3, 53.1%); 81% had work-related issues. This study analyzed responses from a subset of participants who were either employed, unemployed, or on short-term disability (n = 339). Ninety percent of this subset reported at least 1 work-related issue in the year before questionnaire completion, with the most frequent being absenteeism (49.3%) and missing work for healthcare provider visits (42.5%). Factoring in disability benefits eliminated the association between work-related issues and disease activity for all variables except fatigue (r = 0.217; P = 0.03) and discomfort (r = 0.196; P = 0.047). Difficulty fulfilling working hours (β 2.342, 95% CI 1.413-3.272) and effect on professional advancement (β 1.426, 95% CI 0.355-2.497) were associated with psychological distress. In the presence of disability benefits, only the effect on professional advancement remained (β 2.304, 95% CI 0.082-4.527). Conclusion Work-related issues are associated with worse patient-reported outcomes, both physical and psychological.