title: Influence of psoriasis on work.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous research indicates that psoriasis has an impact on early retirement, sick leave days and reduced work performance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the disadvantages at work caused by psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was based on patients visiting the dermatology outpatient clinic in Turku University Hospital. 262 returned a mailed questionnaire. The subjects were asked how many hours they were on a sick leave (absenteeism) and working while sick (presenteeism) due to psoriasis and other health reasons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the retired, 17.0% felt they were retired due to psoriasis. Those in the active work force reported on average 4.5 hours absenteeism and 8.3 hours of presenteeism due to psoriasis during the last 4 weeks. Psoriasis caused 27.0% of the total absenteeism and 39.0% of presenteeism. More than a quarter (28.9%) had been forced to modify their work due to psoriasis, most frequently to make the work less irritating for the skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psoriasis has a negative effect on patients' work in many ways, causing early retirement from work, sick leave days, change of occupation and work modifications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Lemminkäisenkatu 1, 20014 University of Turku, Turku, Finland. kamatt@utu.fi
authors.forename: Kalle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mattila
authors.forename: Mauri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leino
authors.forename: Anssi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mustonen
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Koulu
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tuominen
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004526:Efficiency; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000191:economics; D012179:Retirement; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014937:Work
keywords: absenteeism; presenteeism; psoriasis; work