Trends in work participation among patients with inflammatory rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (iRMDs): Data from the German National Database (2010–2022)
Authors' conclusion
Since 2010, work participation has improved for patients with iRMDs, as reflected in higher employment, reduced absenteeism and less disability retirement.
Study context
- Population
- Patients aged <65 years with iRMDs, National Database of the German Collaborative Arthritis Centers, 2010–2022
- Participants
- 16,421 patients
- Exposure
- Patients with iRMDs vs general population employment
- Outcome
- Work participation: yearly rates of employment, absenteeism and disability pensions; SERs
- Follow-up
- 2010 to 2022
Methodological detailsrepeated yearly cross-sectional samples 2010–2022, standardised employment ratios vs population data, adjusted for age, sex, federal state and vocational qualification, stratified by sex
- Repeated yearly cross-sectional samples 2010–2022
- Standardised employment ratios vs population data, adjusted for age, sex, federal state and vocational qualification
- Stratified by sex
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
SER (vs population)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
0.88
SER · 95% CI 0.86–0.90
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)
0.88
SER · CI 0.84–0.91
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
0.88
SER · CI 0.85–0.91
Systemic sclerosis (SSc)
0.83
SER · CI 0.75–0.91
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
0.76
SER · CI 0.72–0.80
ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV)
0.73
SER · CI 0.63–0.83
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Decrease in median yearly disease-related absenteeism · 2010–2022 | RA median 5 days · axSpA median 1 days · PsA median 6 days · SLE median 11 days · SSc median 4 days · AAV median 10 days |
Employment, 2010 to 2022
- RA
- 54%-68%
- PsA
- 58%-72%
- SSc
- 47%-66%
- AAV
- 43%-61%
- SLE
- 48%-60%
- axSpA
- 65%-73%
SER by sex
- In RA, axSpA, PsA and AAV, standardised employment ratios (SERs) higher in men; in SLE and SSc men had lower SER
Disability pension receivers
- Proportion decreased for all diagnoses except SSc
Original publication
Trends in work participation among patients with inflammatory rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (iRMDs): Data from the German National Database (2010–2022). RMD Open. Published 25 January 2025. doi:10.
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