Related Experiment Videos
Work and sick leave among patients with early inflammatory joint conditions
Goedele A Geuskens1, Johanna M W Hazes, Pieternella J Barendregt
1Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. g.geuskens@erasmusmc.nl
Arthritis and Rheumatism
|September 30, 2008
Summary
Sick leave is common in early inflammatory joint conditions, affecting 26% of patients. Pain, poor physical function, and low job control significantly increase sick leave.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Early inflammatory joint conditions significantly impact patients' lives, including their ability to work.
- Understanding factors contributing to sick leave is crucial for managing these conditions and supporting workforce participation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of sick leave in patients with early inflammatory joint conditions.
- To identify specific work-related characteristics associated with sick leave in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study included 210 employed patients with inflammatory joint conditions presenting for less than 12 months.
- Data collected included demographics, clinical data, pain, physical and mental health, fatigue, coping strategies, and work characteristics (physical load, psychosocial load, job control, support).
- Sick leave was defined as absence from work for over two weeks in the past six months; logistic regression analysis was performed.
Main Results:
- Twenty-six percent (54/210) of employed patients reported sick leave, with 75% attributed to their joint condition.
- Increased sick leave was associated with higher pain levels, poorer physical functioning, passive coping strategies, and low job control (OR 2.74).
- Being a supervisor (OR 0.21) and clerical work (OR 0.45) were associated with reduced sick leave.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of patients with early inflammatory joint conditions experience substantial sick leave.
- Pain, functional limitations, and limited control over work activities are key factors associated with sick leave in these patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Chronic Inflammation: Introduction
Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...
01:38Inflammation
Overview