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 .
Lost Productive Work Time Costs From Health Conditions in the United States: Results From the American Productivity Audit
Learning Objectives Recall the overall magnitude of lsot  productive time ( LPT ) and its dollar cost as found in the American Productivity Audit , and the respective contributions of absenteeism and decreased producitivity at work . Be aware of how LPT varies with a number of demographic and workrelated factors . Compare the factors predisposing to LPT for personal and family-related reasons . The American Productivity Audit ( APA ) is a telephone survey of a r and om sample of 28,902 U.S. workers design ed to quantify the impact of health conditions on work . Lost productive time ( LPT ) was measured for personal and family health reasons and expressed in hours and dollars . Health-related LPT cost employers $ 225.8 billion/year ( $ 1685/employee per year ) ; 71 % is explained by reduced performance at work . Personal health LPT  was 30 % higher in females and twice as high in smokers ( ≥1 pack/day ) versus nonsmokers . Workers in high-dem and , low-control jobs had the lowest average LPT/week versus the highest LPT for those in low-dem and , high-control jobs . Family health-related work absence accounted for 6 % of all health-related LPT . Health-related LPT costs are substantial but largely invisible to employers . Costs vary significantly by worker characteristics , suggesting that intervention needs vary by specific subgroups
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 .