AB1202 IMPACT OF BIOLOGICAL THERAPY ON WORK ABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Authors: J. Vojinovic, M. Lapcevic, N. Damjanov, M. Sefik Bukilica, D. Loncar, D. Acimovic
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2020)

Background: Objectives: The objective of the study was to determinate the perceived impact of biological therapy on work ability and productivity of RA patients in Republic of Serbia. Methods: The analysis was based on questionnaires filled by 626 patients treated with biological therapy and 175 patients treated with conventional therapy, as well as on information gathered on four focus groups. Two monetized indicators were used in the study: Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire General Health V2.0 (WPAI-GH) and Human Capital Approach (HCA), as well as two non-monetized indicators: Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS) and The Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ). The use of WPAI-GH indicator on gathered data helps calculate the total cost of decreased productivity caused by RA, based on two complementary aspects: absenteeism and presenteeism. The HCA indicator builds on costs measured by WPAI-GH, by providing information on the cost of work disability caused by RA, as the cost that resulted from early retirement of patients. SPS provides the foundation for comparison of subjective feeling regarding the impact of RA on performing work tasks between patients treated with biological therapy and patients treated with conventional therapy, using Mann-Whitney test. HPQ indicator provides the basis for comparison of non-monetized absenteeism and presenteeism, in both absolute and relative terms, between the two groups of patients. Results: Our results showed that the total cost of lost productivity of working population with RA in Serbia amounts 2.6 billion RSD (22.2 million EUR), while the total cost of work disability is 15.3 billion RSD (130.8 million EUR) per annum. Results of the HPQ analysis showed that the group treatedetd with conventional therapy had been absent from their work three times more frequently, on average, than the patients treated with biological therapy. Also, the group of patients treated with conventional therapy rated their work performance as lower than average – they rated their productivity as 94.21% of average productivity of other employees at the same/similar job, while the group treated with biological therapy rated themselves as equally productive, compared to other employees. SPS analysis details are presented in Table (Mann-Whitney test). Biological therapy (Yes/No) N Mean Rank Sum of Ranks p value (significance level: 0.05) Despite having my health problem, I was able to finish all tasks in my work. 0 56 113.61 6362.00 0.027 1 208 137.59 28618.00 Total 264 At work, I was able to focus on achieving my goals despite my health problem. 0 55 110.43 6073.50 0.016 1 206 136.49 28117.50 Total 261 Despite having my health problem, I felt energetic enough to complete all my work. 0 56 112.64 6308.00 0.03 1 206 136.63 28145.00 Total 262 Because of my health problem, the stresses of my job were much harder to handle. 0 56 152.51 8540.50 0.01 1 204 124.46 25389.50 Total 260 My health problem distracted me from taking pleasure in my work. 0 56 161.55 9047.00 0.00 1 205 122.65 25144.00 Total 261 I felt hopeless about finishing certain work tasks, due to my health problem. 0 56 155.34 8699.00 0.01 1 208 126.35 26281.00 Total 264 Conclusion: Analysis undoubtedly suggests that RA influences lost productivity costs and work disability. Both work ability and productivity are better when biological therapy is in use, why significant savings would be possible if access to biological therapy could be used at an earlier stage of disease. Disclosure of Interests: Jelena Vojinovic Consultant of: Roche, Abbvie, Pfizer, MSD, Speakers bureau: Roche, Abbvie, Pfizer, MSD, Mirjana Lapcevic: None declared, Nemanja Damjanov Grant/research support from: from AbbVie, Pfizer, and Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Gedeon Richter, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Gedeon Richter, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche, Mirjana Sefik Bukilica: None declared, Dragan Loncar: None declared, Danica Acimovic: None declared