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Work instability and financial loss in early inflammatory arthritis
Author(s) -
Looper Karl J.,
Mustafa Sally S.,
Zelkowitz Phyllis,
Purden Margaret,
Baron Murray
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.12009
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatoid arthritis , arthritis , socioeconomic status , physical therapy , inflammatory arthritis , population , environmental health
Abstract Objective Inflammatory arthritis is associated with a high degree of work instability and financial burden. In this study, we examine the extent of work instability and financial loss as well as their association with disease characteristics during the first 18 months of inflammatory arthritis. Method One hundred and four patients in the early phase (more than 6 weeks, < 18 months) of inflammatory arthritis were recruited from a larger early inflammatory arthritis registry. Questionnaires recorded sociodemographic data and disease characteristics, including pain assessed using the S hort F orm M c G ill P ain Q uestionnaire ( MPQ ) and physical functioning measured with the M edical O utcomes S tudy S hort F orm 36 ( SF ‐36) physical functioning score. The R heumatoid A rthritis W ork I nstability S cale ( RA ‐ WIS ) was used to measure patient‐perceived functioning in the workplace and the F inancial L oss Q uestionnaire ( FLQ ) measured the impact on family finances. Results Participants' mean age was 56 years, 70.2% were female and 49.0% were working. Average yearly household income was < 60 000 Canadian dollars ( CAD ) for 38.5% of the sample. Of our working patients, 43% had a medium or high risk of work loss as measured by the RA ‐ WIS and 35% reported a financial loss. On multivariate analysis, MPQ and SF ‐36 contributed to the dependent variable work instability, while age and SF ‐36 contributed to financial loss. Conclusion This study identifies pain and physical dysfunction as potential modifiable risk factors for negative socioeconomic repercussions of illness in early inflammatory arthritis.