The Impact of Thyroid Diseases on Patients' Work Functioning: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Occupational Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Thyroid diseases (TDs) are common endocrine disorders.
• Assessing the impact of TDs on work ability (WA) is crucial for employee well-being and productivity.
• Limited research exists on the specific factors influencing WA in TD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of thyroid diseases on patients' work ability.
• To identify factors influencing work ability in individuals with thyroid diseases.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 150 workers with thyroid diseases and matched healthy controls.
• Work Ability Index (WAI) was utilized to assess perceived work ability.
• Data collected between May 2020 and November 2021.

Main Results:

• Thyroid disease workers reported significantly lower mean WA scores (39 ± 6) compared to controls (43 ± 4).
• Graves disease and follicular carcinoma were associated with the poorest WA perception.
• Presence of a thyroid disease (β = -0.396) and longer job duration (β = -0.173) were linked to reduced work ability.

Conclusions:

• Thyroid diseases demonstrably affect work ability, necessitating targeted support.
• Interdisciplinary management strategies are recommended to support the personal, social, and professional lives of affected workers.