Predictors of sick leave and reduced productivity at work among persons with early inflammatory joint conditions.
OBJECTIVE
This study attempted to identify predictors of sick leave and reduced productivity at work among persons with early inflammatory joint conditions.


METHODS
In a prospective cohort study of 210 workers with inflammatory joint conditions present for less than 12 months, data were collected by a medical examination and questionnaires at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. The outcomes were sick leave and reduced productivity at work. Generalized estimation equations (6-month time-lag model) were used to study predictors.


RESULTS
Sick leave was predicted by high levels of pain [odds ratio (OR) 3.2], poor physical functioning (OR 4.4), and frequent manual materials handling (OR 2.0), whereas supervisors had a lower likelihood of sick leave (OR 0.2). The predictors of reduced productivity at work were intermediate levels of pain (OR 3.1), poor physical functioning (OR 2.8), poor mental health (OR 2.1), and low support from colleagues (OR 2.2), whereas the workers classified as having nonrheumatoid arthritis were less likely to report reduced productivity than those with inflammatory joint complaints without clinical synovitis (OR 0.4).


CONCLUSIONS
Among the workers with early inflammatory joint conditions, self-reported pain and physical functioning affected performance at work, together with manual materials handling and lack of support from colleagues. Early treatment should target pain and physical functioning, and job interventions should aim at reducing physical workload and increasing coworker support.
Geuskens
Goedele A
GA
Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, NL-3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. g.geuskens@erasmusmc.nl
Hazes
Johanna M W
JM
Barendregt
Pieternella J
PJ
Burdorf
Alex
A
D000328:Adult; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012219:Rheumatology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult