Professional impact of rheumatoid arthritis: a cross sectional study among fifty patients.

Year 2018, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 8 - 8, 01.02.2018

Aouatef Mahfoudh Kraiem , Malek Mahjoub Mahbouba Chguirim Boussaid Asma İnes Rassas Charfeddine Amri Taoufik Khalfallah

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate professional impact of RA on the affected
subjects.

Materials and Methods: A trans-sectional study was conducted in the
Rheumatology Service of University Hospital of Monastir, in Tunisia; between
1999 and 2013. Study population is represented by patients with the diagnosis
of and selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The severity of
RA was evaluated through the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the capacity
of work was assessed according to the Work ability index score (WAI).

Results:
Half of patients stopped definitively their professional activity because of
their illness that occurred in the majority of cases at the first 5 years of
evolution of the disease. Working leaving was found in 48 % of cases,
invalidity in 28 % of cases, early retirement in 12 % of cases and the
long-term sick leave in 12 % of cases. Predictors of work stoppages were the
means of transport between the place of residence and workplace, the work
sector, the professional category and to presence of coxopaty. Patients in
professional activity had a mean score of WAI 28± 8.28, 80 % of them had a
working capacity poor to moderate. Predictive factors of poor work ability were
the type of profession, exposure to movements in hyper flexion, hyperextension
of wrists and to repetitive gestures and a high HAQ score.

Conclusions: Loss of work among patients with RA is a
multifactorial and complex phenomenon involving socio-demographic, clinical and
other parameters related to professional environment.

Keys words: Arthritis Rheumatoid; Work Ability Index; Disability.

Keywords

Professional impact of rheumatoid arthritis: a cross sectional study among fifty patients.

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