RA-related work-disability rates were similar in the USA and European countries .
An apparent decrease in the prevalence of RA-related work disability since the 1970s may be related to a decrease in physically dem and ing work rather than to epidemiologic changes in RA .
The majority of the literature addresses permanent disability and temporary work loss ; none of the studies review ed reported the effect of RA on presenteeism , i.e. work limitation from the employer perspective , and there are few published studies of the effectiveness of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in reducing work-related productivity loss
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) is a chronic , debilitating disease with a significant impact on workplace productivity .
AIM To perform a systematic review of studies of the relationship between RA and reduced  workplace productivity .
Costs of rheumatoid arthritis in Germany: a micro-costing approach based on healthcare payer’s data sources
Objective : To develop a systematic set of German cost data in rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) based solely on valid healthcare payer ’s cost data sources . Methods : Retrospectively one year cost data of 338 patients with RA were generated and analysed . The cost data were derived from a major statutory health insurance plan ( “ Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Niedersachsen ” ) and the regional physicians ’ association ( “ Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Niedersachsen ” ) . The recently published matrix of cost domains in RA was applied to structure the analysis . Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data . Results : The total direct costs for the 338 patients during one year ( third quarter 2000 to second quarter 2001 ) were € 3815 per patient-year . RA related direct costs were € 2312 per patient-year . Outpatient costs accounted for 73.7 % , inpatient costs for 24.0 % , and other disease related costs for 2.3 % of RA related direct costs . Out patients cost drivers were RA related drugs ( € 1019 per patient-year ) , physician visits ( € 323 per patient-year ) , diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and tests ( € 185 per patient-year ) , and devices and aids ( € 168 per patient-year ) . 98 patients were retired prematurely owing to RA related work disability and incurred costs of € 8358 per retired patient-year . 96 patients were gainfully employed and incurred sick leave costs of € 2835 per employed patient-year . Conclusion : Micro-costing based on healthcare payer ’s data provides a relatively conservative albeit highly accurate estimate of costs in RA . Both RA related and non-RA related costs must be taken into account . In gainfully employed patients and in patients who receive RA related retirement payments productivity costs exceed direct costs
RA-related work-disability rates were similar in the USA and European countries .
An apparent decrease in the prevalence of RA-related work disability since the 1970s may be related to a decrease in physically dem and ing work rather than to epidemiologic changes in RA .
The majority of the literature addresses permanent disability and temporary work loss ; none of the studies review ed reported the effect of RA on presenteeism , i.e. work limitation from the employer perspective , and there are few published studies of the effectiveness of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in reducing work-related productivity loss
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) is a chronic , debilitating disease with a significant impact on workplace productivity .
AIM To perform a systematic review of studies of the relationship between RA and reduced  workplace productivity .