Productivity Losses and Costs in the Less-Common Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe synthesised the literature on productivity losses and costs in the less-common systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: Sjogren ’s syndrome (SjS), systemic sclerosis (SSc), poly/dermatomyositis (PM/DM), and systemic vasculitides (SV).Recent FindingsOf 29 studies located, 12 were published 2012 onwards (SSc  = 6, SjS = 2, PM/DM = 2, SV = 2). In these, 25% of PM/DM, and 21–26% of SV, were work disabled, 22% of SSc stopped work within 3 years of diagnosis, and annual costs of absenteeism in SSc averaged $12,024 2017 USD. Very few studies reported on costs, presenteeism (working at reduced leve ls), or unpaid productivity loss. Across multiple systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), major drivers of lost productivity were generalised items like pain, depression, and fatigue, rather than disease-specific factors.SummaryEvidence suggests that work disability is common in SSc and strikes quickly. However, in SSc and other SARDs, more comprehensive estimates are needed, which include absenteeism and presenteeism from paid and unpaid work, costs, and drivers of productivity loss.
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research