AB1683-PARE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORK INSTABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PATIENTS WITH SPONDYLOARTHRITIS
Authors: Z. Syrine, R. Leila, S. Bouden, A. Ben Tekaya, I. Mahmoud, R. Tekaya, O. Saidane, L. Abdelmoula
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Quality of life (QoL) is a subjective measure encompassing various well-being indicators, including health, social interactions, and socioeconomic factors such as employment and economic status. Spondyloarthritis patients often face pain, stiffness, and physical limitations that can affect their professional stability. <h3>Objectives:</h3> This study aims to assess the impact of work instability on the quality of life in patients with spondyloarthritis. <h3>Methods:</h3> A prospective study was conducted on spondyloarthritis patients at a rheumatology department. Patient demographics (age, gender, educational level), disease-related parameters (disease activity, duration, treatment), comorbidities, and job characteristics were collected. The Work Instability Scale was used, it is classified into three categories: low (less than 10), medium (10–17), and high (above 17) risk. Quality of life was evaluated using the Arabic Tunisian version of the SF-36 short form questionnaire. <h3>Results:</h3> Forty-one patients participated with a mean age of 39.34±12.58 and 73.2% were males. Educational levels were 31.8% elementary, 44% high school, and 24.4% university. Work sectors comprised 29.3% public, 34.1% private, and 36.6% independent. Job categories included agriculture (12.2%), manufacturing (14.2%), building (17%), trading (12.2%), education (4.9%), administration (4.9%), and security (7.3%). Mean working hours were 8.35±1.4. Job demands included physical demands (63.4%), mental demands (26.8%), and a combination of both (9.4%). The onset age of the disease was 31.8±10.68 years. Disease characteristics included disease activity measures (BASDAI= 3.08±1.6 and ASDAS-CRP= 2.53±1.13), with 58.5% having moderate to high disease activity. BASFI indicated a mean of 4.18 [0.5-8.5]. SF36 scores averaged 62±17.2: Physical functioning 65.73±20.23, Role physical 48.78± 24.55, Bodily pain 68.84± 18, Social functioning 67.72± 16.1, Mental health 61.78± 29.41 Role emotional 65.14± 14.8, Vitality 62.2± 19 and Global health 55.48± 14.35 Work instability was present in 58.8% of patients, with a mean AS_WIS of 11.17 [2-18]. Workplace adaptations were noted in 41.5% of the cases and involved: adapted furniture/tools (5%), reduced tasks/duties (2.4%), and fewer working hours (29.3%). Lower educational level was associated with lower SF36 scores, particularly in social and vitality dimensions (p=0.04 and p=0.02, respectively). Quality of life score SF36 was significantly negatively correlated to AS-WIS (R=-0.63, p&lt;0,001). In addition, work instability correlated to disease activity indexes BASDAI and ASDAS (R=0.58; p&lt;0.001 and R=0.46; p=0,004 respectively). <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Professional stability significantly influences quality of life in spondyloarthritis patients. Regular evaluation and intervention on associated factors are crucial to enhance and promote overall quality of life during follow-up care. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>