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Clinical Rheumatology
Published in: Clinical Rheumatology 2/2022

01-02-2022 | Ankylosing Spondylitis | Original Article

Poor work outcomes in patients with spondyloarthritis: causes, consequences, and solutions

Authors: Soumaya Boussaid, Marouene Ben Majdouba, Sonia Rekik, Samia Jammali, Elhem Cheour, Hela Sahli, Mohamed Elleuch

Published in: Clinical Rheumatology | Issue 2/2022

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Abstract

Background

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) affects patients in the prime of their economic productivity and can cause loss of work productivity and unemployment. We aim to identify factors associated with poor work outcomes in patients with SpA.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in 100 patients with SpA who were employed, retired, or off work because of SpA. Data on sociodemographic and professional characteristics were collected as well as specific indices: BASDAI, ASDAS-CRP, BASFI, and BASMI. Work productivity in employed patients was assessed by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scale (WPAI:SpA).

Results

Patients were divided into 73 men and 27 women; the mean age was 43.68 ± 10.3 years. Fifty-nine percent of patients were employed and 26% were off work. The average disease duration was 12.24 ± 8.73 years. The mean BASDAI score was 4.4 ± 2.4, the average BASFI score was 4.6 ± 2.7, and the average ASDAS-CRP score was 2.77 ± 1.18. The mean BASMI was 4.4 ± 2.8. Among employed patients, the mean of absenteeism, presenteeism, and work productivity loss was 21.8 ± 33.13%, 42 ± 32%, and 46.5 ± 35.31%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, absenteeism was associated with ASDAS ≥ 2.1 (β = 20.14), peripheral joint involvement (β = 15.6), manual work (β = 14.31), low level of education (β = 7.92), and BASFI ≥ 4 (β = 6.39). Presenteeism and work productivity loss were associated with manual work, BASFI ≥ , body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2, smoking, the use of symptomatic treatment, and ASDAS-CRP ≥ 2.1.

Conclusion

Spondyloarthritis affects work productivity. Screening for predictive factors should be considered by the clinician in the overall management of the disease.
Key Points
• SpA occurs among young and active patients; it could affect their professional lives and thus lead to loss of work productivity and unemployment.
• The management of patients with SpA must be multidisciplinary; this includes assessing contextual factors in order to act on modifiable factors such as smoking and BMI, optimal management of the disease to maintain at least a low disease activity, and to ensure workstation layout and elimination of professional constraints that can affect work outcomes in patients with SpA.
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Metadata
Title
Poor work outcomes in patients with spondyloarthritis: causes, consequences, and solutions
Authors
Soumaya Boussaid
Marouene Ben Majdouba
Sonia Rekik
Samia Jammali
Elhem Cheour
Hela Sahli
Mohamed Elleuch
Publication date
01-02-2022
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Clinical Rheumatology / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 0770-3198
Electronic ISSN: 1434-9949
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-021-05904-3

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