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 .
Indirect medical costs in early rheumatoid arthritis: composition of and changes in indirect costs within the first three years of disease.
OBJECTIVE To investigate 1 ) the magnitude of indirect costs , 2 ) changes in cost components , and 3 ) correlations between changes in cost and social , clinical , and occupational variables within the first 3 years of rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) . METHODS We evaluated the indirect costs  per person-year in 133 consecutive gainfully employed out- patients with early RA , in a prospect i ve multicenter followup study . Costs due to RA-related sick leave , work disability , and other work loss were assessed using the human capital approach . Variables associated with reduction in lost productivity were tested by multivariate logistic regression analysis . RESULTS Mean + /- SEM annual indirect costs were $ 11,750 + /- 1,120 per person . During the 3-year period of observation , a marked reduction in the costs associated with sick leave was seen , which exceeded the increase in costs due to work disability and other work loss . This phenomenon result ed in an overall reduction in indirect costs of 21 % . The final logistic regression model of reduced loss of productivity included 3 variables : no problems with st and ing ( odds ratio [ OR ] 7.1 ) , no problems with working speed ( OR 4.1 ) , and no problems with outdoor work ( OR 3.1 ) . CONCLUSION High indirect costs in early RA were demonstrated . An overall decrease of costs can be seen in the first 3 years , due to the reduction in sick leave . Since the absence of problems due to strenuous working conditions was found to be associated with a reduction in indirect costs , it is assumed that early intensified vocational rehabilitation , apart from controlling disease activity by adequate treatment , might help to reduce indirect 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 .