AB0490 IMPACT OF SPONDYLOARTHRITIS ON WORK PRODUCTIVITY: A REAL LIFE STUDY
Authors: M. Ben Majdouba, S. Boussaid, S. Rekik, S. Jemmali, H. Ajlani, H. Sahli, M. Elleuch
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2021)

Background: Work productivity of patients with spondyloarthritis is frequently affected by their disease. Objectives: We aim to identify disease-related factors associated with poor work productivity in patients with spondyloarthritis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in patients with spondyloarthritis. Data on disease characteristics were collected as well as specific indices: Visual analogue scale (VAS) for fatigue and pain, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with CRP (ASDAS-CRP), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functionnel Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI). EuroQol-5D (EQ5D) was used to assess health-related quality of life. Work productivity was assessed by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scale (WPAI:SpA). Factors associated with presenteeism, absenteeism and work productivity loss were evaluated. Results: One hundred patients were enrolled (73 men and 27 women); mean age was 43.68 ± 10.3 years. Fifty nine percent of patients were employed, 26% were off work and 15% were retired of which 8% were in early retirement. Sixty seven percent of patients had ankylosing spondylitis, 17% had rheumatism associated with inflammatory bowel disease and 16% had psoriatic rheumatism. The average disease duration was 12.24 ± 8.73 years. Mean age at onset was 33.2 ± 10 years [18-59]. The average diagnostic delay was 2.41 ± 3 years; it was more than five years in 17% of cases. Sacroiliac pain has been noted in 69 patients, lumbar or cervical stiffness in 78 patients and peripheral joint involvement in 18 cases. Thirty one percent of patients had hip joint involvement and 49% had extra-articular manifestation. Fifty percent had inflammatory biological syndrome, 63% were treated with anti-TNFα and 58% needed symptomatic treatment regularly. The mean fatigue and pain VAS was respectively 5.58 ± 2.5 and 5.56 ± 2.9. The mean BASDAI was 4.4 ± 2.4, the average BASFI was 4.6 ± 2.7 and the average ASDAS-CRP was 2.77 ± 1.18. The mean BASMI was 4.4 ± 2.8. The mean EQ5D score was 0.485 ± 0.378. Among employed patients, mean absenteeism, presenteeism and work productivity loss was 21.8 ± 33.13%, 42 ± 32% and 46.5 ± 35.31%, respectively. These work outcomes were correlated to diagnostic delay ≥ 2 years (p&lt;0.03), peripheral joint involvement (p=0.006), psoriasis (p=0.02), inflammatory biological syndrome (p&lt;0.001), need of symptomatic treatment (p=0.001), fatigue and pain VAS ≥ 4 (p&lt;0.001), BASDAI ≥ 4 (p&lt;0.001), ASDAS-CRP ≥ 2.1 (p&lt;0.001), BASFI ≥ 4 (p&lt;0.001), BASMI ≥ 4 (p=0.002) and low EQ5D score (p&lt;0.001). Work productivity loss was in addition correlated to age at onset &lt; 25 years (p=0.03). Conclusion: Active disease, reduced physical function and poorer quality of life are associated with reduced work productivity. Early diagnosis and good disease management especially fatigue and pain can potentially improve work outcomes in patients with spondyloarthritis. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.