Work Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Effects of Disease, Social, and Work Factors

Abstract

The relative contribution of selected disease, social and work-related factors to disability status in a population of persons with rheumatoid arthritis. This study is limited to 1 diagnostic entity, yet at the same time evaluates a broad range of social and work-related factors in disability. Persons (180) with rheumatoid arthritis sampled from 19 socially diverse practice settings were given a structured survey about their medical and work histories and social backgrounds. Significant effects of stage and duration of illness on continued employment but no positive effect of selected therapies were found. Social and work factors combined had a far larger effect on work disability than all disease factors. Among work factors, control over the pace and activities of work and self-employment status had the greatest effect on continued employment suggesting that time control issues are crucial to the maintenance of one''s job after onset of this illness.