Employment and work disability in rheumatoid arthritis
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The cost of work disability due to rheumatoid arthritis is substantial to both individuals and society. Approximately one third of people with rheumatoid arthritis will leave employment prematurely. Several studies over the past two decades have identified risk factors for work disability, and recent literature suggests increasing interest in ways to assess work limitations and offer interventions to prevent work loss. RECENT FINDINGS: Work disability results from a complex interaction of characteristics of individuals, the nature of their work, and their environment, including the physical workplace, policies related to work accommodation, and interpersonal relationships. Practitioners need tools to help identify patients experiencing limitations in the workplace and at risk for permanent work disability. Two new tools show promise in this area. Although there is general agreement that vocational assessment and intervention should occur early in the course of rheumatoid arthritis, evidence for vocational rehabilitation is sadly lacking. A recent systematic review identified only six studies, all uncontrolled, but suggestive of beneficial effects. SUMMARY: Assessment of possible work limitations and potential for vocational rehabilitation should be considered in the evaluation of employed patients and those wishing to work. Further development and evaluation of work retention and return-to-work programs for people with rheumatoid arthritis is required.
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Most people with chronic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, or COPD and asthma also stay at work.
“This is not unique for CMP, for in cases of chronic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, or COPD and asthma, most people also stay at work [7,8].”
From Staying at work with chronic nonspecific musculoskeletal pain: a qualitative study of workers' experiences (2011) · cites this paper as [7]
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de Vries, H. J., Brouwer, S., Groothoff, J. W., Geertzen, J. H., & Reneman, M. F. (2011) · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders · doi:10.1186/1471-2474-12-126 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
“This is not unique for CMP, for in cases of chronic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, or COPD and asthma, most people also stay at work [7,8].”
Background
- Authors
- Backman, C. L.
- Affiliations
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Backman, Catherine L.
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Rheumatology
- Published
- 2004-03
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 148-152
- ISSN
- 1040-8711 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2010220653
- Cited by
- 87
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 1.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Rheumatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Disability Education and Employment
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Medical Practices and Rehabilitation
- Social Sciences › Demography › Retirement, Disability, and Employment
- Keywords
- rheumatoid arthritis, work disability, employment, risk factors, vocational rehabilitation, return to work, workplace accommodations, work environment
- MeSH terms
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Employment, Persons with Disabilities, Disabled Persons, Humans, Risk Factors, Prevalence
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