Work disability and rheumatoid arthritis: Predictive factors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is often associated with work disability, a term used to describe the inability to be or to remain employed. Work disability is a common implication of rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to identify and analyze the predictive factors of work disability among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as to group these factors into broader categories, based on the most current studies in this field. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted using Google Scholar, MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases. Eighty-six international journal articles were finally selected. RESULTS: The results suggest that occupational, personal, medical and societal factors are the main predictive categories of work disability for people with rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Medical progress has had a positive effect on the development and the rates of work disability among patients with RA. Work disability is, however, not only defined by medical factors. Occupational, personal and societal factors interact with each other and affect the development of work disability in RA. The results of this review emphasize the need for medical and vocational therapy interventions, social support and state policies that target the work status of patients with RA. Future holistic research approaches to the field are required for a complete picture and concrete solutions with the aim of keeping patients with RA employed.