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 .
Labour force participation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis
OBJECTIVES To assess work history and labour force participation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) in the Netherl and s. METHODS A r and om sample of 1056 patients with RA aged 16–59 years from 17 rheumatology practice s in the Netherl and s was examined . Data on disease status and outcome were obtained by a question naire including st and ardised instruments , such as the Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology ( RADAR ) and R AND -36 question naires . Labour force participation was defined as having a paid job . RESULTS Of the study group with a mean disease duration of 12 years , 35.7 % held a paid job ( men 56.7 % ; women 27.7 % ) . When st and ardised for age , sex , and educational level , the labour force participation of patients with RA was 61.2 % compared with 65.5 % for the general population , which was not statistically significant . Disease duration of six years and more was negatively associated with labour force participation . CONCLUSIONS After controlling for the confounding effects of age , sex , and education , the labour force participation of patients with RA in the Netherl and s is only slightly lower than that of the general population
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 .