Work disability in rheumatic diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To review developments in the literature concerning work disability in the rheumatic diseases.


RESULTS
There have been three sets of studies to emerge in the last year. In the first, several studies analyze alternative research methods to document work disability. The second set uses qualitative methods to identify the specific factors that affect the decision to leave work. The third set analyzes interventions to reduce work disability.


CONCLUSIONS
The quantitative and qualitative studies concur on the importance of flexible working conditions as an important, if not the most important risk factor for work disability in a diverse array of rheumatic diseases.
Yelin
Edward
E
Rosalind Russell Medical Research Center for Arthritis, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143-0920, USA. ed.yelin@ucsf.edu
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents