Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Identifying persons with axial spondyloarthritis at risk of poor work outcome: results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register.

Macfarlane, Gary J.; Shim, Joanna; Jones, Gareth T.; Walker-Bone, Karen; Dean, Linda E.; Pathan, Ejaz

Authors

Gary J. Macfarlane

Gareth T. Jones

Karen Walker-Bone

Linda E. Dean

Ejaz Pathan



Abstract

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.

Citation

MACFARLANE, G.J., SHIM, J., JONES, G.T., WALKER-BONE, K., PATHAN, E. and DEAN, L.E. 2019. Identifying persons with axial spondyloarthritis at risk of poor work outcome: results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register. Journal of rheumatology [online], 46(2), pages 145-152. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.180477

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 8, 2018
Online Publication Date Nov 1, 2018
Publication Date Feb 1, 2019
Deposit Date Feb 28, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal The Journal of Rheumatology
Print ISSN 0315-162X
Electronic ISSN 1499-2752
Publisher Journal of Rheumatology
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 46
Issue 2
Pages 145-152
DOI https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.180477
Keywords Spondyloarthritis; Work; Absenteeism; Presenteeism; Cohort; Epidemiology
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1352914
Additional Information A correction to this article was published at https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.180477.C1. A copy of this correction can be found at the end of the accompanying file.

Files

MACFARLANE 2019 Identifying persons with axial (899 Kb)
PDF

Licence
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Copyright Statement
This is a pre-copyediting, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in The Journal of Rheumatology following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version MACFARLANE, G.J., SHIM, J., JONES, G.T., WALKER-BONE, K., PATHAN, E. and DEAN, L.E. 2019. Identifying persons with axial spondyloarthritis at risk of poor work outcome: results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register. Journal of rheumatology [online], 46(2), pages 145-152 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.180477





You might also like



Downloadable Citations