OP0205-PARE WORK-RELATED SUPPORT FOR (SELF-)EMPLOYED PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS OR AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS: THE WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVE
Authors: N. Bakker, S. Van Weely, A. Boonen, T. P. M. Vliet Vlieland, J. Knoop
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) frequently face restrictions in work participation [1, 2]. Appropriate guidance and support is recommended [3], but little is known about the actual provision of work-related support to (self-)employed people with RA or axSpA by rheumatologists, other healthcare professionals (HCPs) or employers in daily practice. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To explore the experiences of (self-)employed people with RA or axSpA regarding work-related support from their rheumatologist, other HCPs and employers, in the Netherlands. <h3>Methods:</h3> A cross-sectional study in (self-)employed people (currently or in the past), aged ≥16 years and diagnosed with RA or axSpA. An online survey was disseminated through various websites and social media channels. The survey included questions regarding sociodemographic factors, health and work characteristics, the occurrence and severity of work-related problems, and experiences with rheumatologists', other HCP' and employers' work-related support. <h3>Results:</h3> The survey was completed by 884 participants, 491 (56%) with RA and 393 (44%) with axSpA. In total, 65% of the participants were currently employed, 8% self-employed and 27% unemployed. The majority (87%) of (self-)employed participants were female, had a mean age of 47 years, a self-reported disease duration of 10 years and had white-collar jobs (92%). In total, 95% of the (self-)employed participants reported current work-related problems, of which fatigue (96%) and pain in muscles or joints (94%) were most often reported. In total, 80% of employed participants and 56% of self-employed participants discussed their work-related problems in the last year with rheumatologists, other HCPs or employers (Figure 1). After discussing these problems, work-related support was provided by rheumatologists in 29% of the participants, by other HCPs in 53% of the participants and by employers in 56% of the employed participants. Results were predominantly similar between RA and axSpA. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> In a nationwide survey, nearly all (self-)employed people with RA or axSpA faced work-related problems. The majority of them had recently discussed these problems with their rheumatologists, other HCPs or employers but actual work-related support was received to a much lesser extent. To improve work participation, more attention from rheumatologists, other HCPs and employers is important to identify and address work-related problems promptly. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] Kirkeskov, L. and K. Bray, <i>Employment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis - a systematic review and meta-analysis.</i> BMC Rheumatol, 2023. <b>7</b>(1): p. 41, [2] Nikiphorou, E. and S. Ramiro, <i>Work disability in axial spondyloarthritis.</i> Current Rheumatology Reports, 2020. <b>22</b>: p. 1-8. [3] Boonen, A., et al., <i>2021 EULAR points to consider to support people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases to participate in healthy and sustainable paid work.</i> Annals of the rheumatic diseases, 2023. <b>82</b>(1): p. 57-64. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> This study is funded by the Dutch Arthritis Society (ReumaNederland) and the Scientific College of Physical Therapy (WCF) of the Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy (KNGF). <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Nienke Bakker: None declared, Salima van Weely: None declared, Annelies Boonen AB received honoraria for lectures or consulting fees from Pfizer, Novartis, UCB, Abbvie and Galapagos; all to her department., AB received research grants from Abbvie; all to her department., T.P.M. Vliet Vlieland: None declared, Jesper Knoop: None declared.