Work productivity in Behçet syndrome

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Occupational Health
• Vasculitis Research

Background:

• Behçet syndrome (BS) is a multisystem vasculitis predominantly affecting young adults.
• Understanding the impact of BS on work productivity and stability is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate work productivity and stability in patients with Behçet syndrome.
• To compare work productivity in BS patients with those suffering from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and healthy controls (HCs).

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 125 BS patients, 30 AS patients, and 30 HCs.
• Work productivity and stability assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI), Work Productivity Survey (WPS), and Work Instability Scale (WIS).
• Exploration of associations between work productivity and demographic/disease features, including organ involvement and quality of life.

Main Results:

• 42% of BS patients reported absenteeism and 48% reported presenteeism.
• Work productivity and stability scores were significantly impaired in BS and AS patients compared to HCs.
• Ocular, vascular, and nervous system involvement, disease activity, and lower quality of life scores correlated with impaired work productivity.

Conclusions:

• Impaired work productivity is common in Behçet syndrome patients.
• Major organ involvement, disease activity, and reduced quality of life are associated with work productivity deficits.
• Work productivity should be considered in clinical trial assessments for Behçet syndrome.