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 .
Effect of rheumatoid arthritis on work status and social and leisure time activities in patients followed 8 years from onset.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the development of h and icap in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) followed 8 years from onset . METHODS The study group consisted of 106 patients participating in a prospect i ve early RA study . The mean duration of joint symptoms at inclusion was one year . The patients were assessed at least once annually . Disability was measured with the  Health Assessment Question naire ( HAQ )  and emotional distress with a  self-administered test ( Symptom Checklist ) . Work status and different social measures were registered . A  structured interview regarding work capacity , leisure time , and social activities  was performed about 8 years after disease onset . RESULTS Compared to study start , disease activity had decreased , emotional distress was unchanged , disability had increased somewhat , and radiographic changes had increased markedly . The prevalence of work disability at the end of the study was 37 % . The majority of patients that eventually got disability pension had stopped working the first year after onset . Seventy-eight percent of the patients who continued to work had to adjust their work conditions to stay employed . The 3 most important predictors for work disability were higher HAQ at study start , lower educational level , and older age . Three-quarters of the patients had to alter leisure time activities and half of them were not satisfied with their recreation . Many patients experienced difficulties in their roles as spouse and parent . Higher levels of emotional distress were associated with these h and icaps . CONCLUSION In this cohort of patients with RA we found a high frequency of different types of  h and icaps  at an early stage . Slightly more than 1/3 were work disabled . The majority had stopped working during the first year . Patients perceived h and icaps in terms of changed leisure time activities , and difficulties performing different social roles were frequent . Patients with these h and icaps felt more emotional distress
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 .