Work disability (WD) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been extensively evaluated in Germany. Therefore, the occurrence of WD pension within the first seven years of RA and prognostic indicators of the first year including the duration of sick leave (SL) were analyzed.
Within the first year of RA according to the ACR 1987 criteria, 141 gainfully employed patients were entered into a prospective multicenter study (61% females, mean age 47 +/- 9 years, mean disease duration 6 +/- 3.5 months). One hundred and ten patients (78%) participated in a reevaluation (postal questionnaire) after a mean follow-up of 6.1 +/- 0.4 years. Predictors of WD pension were identified in univariate analyses and in backward multivariate Cox regression analyses (p < 0.05) with Hazard-ratios [H-R] as measures of WD risk.
Of 110 patients 53 (48%) were still employed at reexamination. WD due to RA occurred in 5% after one year disease duration, in 15% after 2 years, in 20% after 3 years, and in 28% after 6.5 years. Other reasons for leaving the labor force were found in 24%. High pain intensity, radiographic erosions, comorbidity and the pain behavior of avoidance were associated with WD only in univariate analyses. Age > 45 years [H-R 6.3] and the following job-related prognostic indicators were identified in the multivariate analyses: working under pressure of time [H-R 9.0], limited joint motion interferring with job tasks [H-R 5.9], feeling overworked [H-R 3.8] and work status (unskilled blue-collar workers vs white-collar professionals and self-employed persons) [H-R 3.4]. In an alternative final Cox-regression model the variables feeling overworked and work status were replaced by SL duration > 8 weeks within the first year of RA [H-R 7.1].
Since WD frequently occurs already within the first 3 years (20%) adequate interventions resulting from the prognostic indicators have to begin early in the course of RA. Apart from the rheumatological treatment and rehabilitation focusing on the reduction of pain, improved coping with pain, reduced joint destruction and improved mobility particularly working under pressure of time should be avoided and the work place has to be adjusted in case of limited joint motion interferring with job tasks. SL of several weeks duration already within the first year of RA is a red flag for impending WD.