Work participation and work disability in Belgian patients with systemic sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Occupational Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) significantly impacts patients' lives, including their ability to participate in the workforce.
• Understanding work participation is crucial for multidisciplinary care and patient support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update work participation data for Systemic Sclerosis patients in a Belgian reference center.
• To investigate factors associated with work outcomes in SSc patients.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 108 adult SSc patients was surveyed on socio-economic status and work outcomes.
• Employment rates were compared to the general population, adjusting for age and sex.
• Logistic and negative binomial regression analyses explored associations with socio-demographic and clinical variables.

Main Results:

• The employment rate among working-age SSc patients was 64% (Standardized Employment Ratio: 0.90).
• Work disability was the primary reason for unemployment (20%), linked to older age, lower education, and functional impairment.
• Significant sick leave (79%) was associated with internal organ involvement and full-time employment.

Conclusions:

• Work participation in SSc patients is comparable to the general population, but work disability and sick leave remain considerable.
• Socio-demographic and job-related factors are critical in assessing work outcomes, not solely disease characteristics.