Predictors of productivity loss in early rheumatoid arthritis: a 5 year follow up study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore baseline risk factors for productivity loss and work disability over 5 years in patients with early, active RA.


METHODS
In the FIN-RACo trial, 195 patients with recent onset RA were randomised to receive either a combination of DMARDs with prednisolone or a single DMARD for 2 years. At baseline, 162 patients were working or available for work. After 5 years' follow up, data on sick leave and retirement were obtained from social insurance registers or case records. The cumulative duration of sick leaves and RA related disability pensions was counted for each patient. To analyse predictors of productivity loss, the patients were divided into four groups according to duration of work disability per patient year.


RESULTS
Patient's and physician's global assessment of RA severity > or =50 and HAQ score > or =1.0 were risk factors for extension of productivity loss (OR (95% (CI) 1.77 (1.00 to 3.16), 1.85 (1.03 to 3.32), and 1.78 (1.01 to 3.14), respectively). Additional risk factors were low education level (2.40 (1.18 to 4.88)) and older age (1.03 (1.00 to 1.06)); combination treatment was a protective factor (0.59 (0.35 to 0.99)).


CONCLUSIONS
At baseline, the risk of future productivity loss is best predicted by education level, age, global assessments of RA severity, and HAQ score.
Puolakka
K
K
Department of Medicine, Lappeenranta Central Hospital, Valto Käkelän katu 1, FIN-53130 Lappeenranta, Finland. kari.puolakka@fimnet.fi
Kautiainen
H
H
Möttönen
T
T
Hannonen
P
P
Hakala
M
M
Korpela
M
M
Ilva
K
K
Yli-Kerttula
U
U
Piirainen
H
H
Leirisalo-Repo
M
M
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004522:Educational Status; D004526:Efficiency; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010415:Pensions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires