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 .
Becoming a disability pensioner with rheumatoid arthritis in Norway 1971-1990.
OBJECTIVE Physically dem and ing occupations have been associated with becoming a disability pensioner with rheumatoid arthritis ( DPRA ) , but not with the disease of RA . The association with becoming DPRA probably reflects that patients with RA have difficulties in maintaining employment in a physically dem and ing occupation . However , the attitudes of the employers concerning employment of persons with RA might vary . For example , the patient 's age may influence the strength of the association between a physically dem and ing occupation and becoming DPRA . We assessed whether the association between the predictors and becoming DPRA was stronger for the youngest or the oldest age group . METHODS The study was prospect i ve with data on persons in Norway 30 - 56 years old either in the census of 1970 or 1980 . All new cases of DPRA during the 2 followup periods 1971 - 80 and 1981 - 90 were identified and analyzed by logistic regression . RESULTS For women the predictors employment , low level of education , and period ( 1981 - 90 compared to 1971 - 80 ) were more strongly associated with becoming DPRA for the youngest compared to the oldest persons , while manual work and part time work were not predictors of becoming DPRA .  For men , all the predictors in the study were more strongly associated with becoming DPRA for the youngest compared to the oldest age group . CONCLUSION The higher risk of becoming DPRA was associated with most predictors for persons aged 30 - 39 years than the group aged 50 - 56 years . Our results appear to indicate that the consequences of having RA in the labor market are greater for the youngest age group
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 .