How long do people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases stay healthy and in work across Europe? Analysis of data from SHARE and ELSA
Authors' conclusion
The differences observed in HWLE demonstrate the substantial societal burden associated with RMDs.
Study context
- Population
- People aged 50 years and over in 19 European countries (SHARE 2004–2022, ELSA 2002–2023)2 longitudinal studies
- Exposure
- People with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) vs people without RMDs
- Outcome
- Healthy working life expectancy (HWLE): no limiting long-standing illness and employment/self-employment
- Follow-up
- From age 50
Methodological detailsanalysis of SHARE and ELSA data, age-adjusted discrete time 3-state models, IMaCh (interpolation of Markov Chains), stratified by 19 countries
- Analysis of SHARE and ELSA data
- Age-adjusted discrete time 3-state models
- IMaCh (interpolation of Markov Chains)
- Stratified by 19 countries
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
HWLE from age 50 in populations with vs without RMDs
Lowest healthy working life expectancy (HWLE) for populations with RMDs: Austria, 42.9% of HWLE for the population without RMDs (interval as printed: 1.49, 3.71)
2.60 years
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
HWLE by education and physical activity in populations with RMDs
- HWLE lower with RMDs and physically inactive, number of countries
- 16
- HWLE lower with RMDs and lower than upper secondary education in all countries
Original publication
How long do people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases stay healthy and in work across Europe? Analysis of data from SHARE and ELSA. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 5 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →