-
Musculoskeletal Surgery Jun 2024Chronic low back pain (LBP) represents a leading cause of absenteeism from work. An accurate knowledge of complex interactions is essential in understanding the... (Review)
Review
Chronic low back pain (LBP) represents a leading cause of absenteeism from work. An accurate knowledge of complex interactions is essential in understanding the difficulties of return to work (RTW) experienced by workers affected by chronic LBP. This study aims to identify factors related to chronic LBP, the worker, and the psycho-social environment that could predict and influence the duration of an episode of sick leave due to chronic LBP.Studies reporting the relation between prognostic factors and absenteeism from work in patients with LBP were included. The selected studies were grouped by prognostic factors. The results were measured in absolute terms, relative terms, survival curve, or duration of sick leave. The level of evidence was defined by examining the quality and the appropriateness of findings across studies in terms of significance and direction of relationship for each prognostic factor.A total of 20 studies were included. Prognostic factors were classified in clinical, psycho-social, and social workplace, reaching a total of 31 constructs. Global conditions with less favorable repercussions on worker's lives resulted in a delay in time to RTW. Older age, female, higher pain or disability, depression, higher physical work demands, and abuse of smoke and alcohol have shown strong level of evidence for negative outcomes.High global health well-being, great socioeconomic status, and good mental health conditions are decisive in RTW outcomes. Interventions that aim at RTW of employee's sick-listed with LBP should focus on psycho-social aspects, health behaviors, and workplace characteristics.
PubMed: 38864993
DOI: 10.1007/s12306-024-00828-y -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2024The common cold is an acute, self-limiting viral respiratory illness. Symptoms include nasal congestion and mucus discharge, sneezing, sore throat, cough, and general...
BACKGROUND
The common cold is an acute, self-limiting viral respiratory illness. Symptoms include nasal congestion and mucus discharge, sneezing, sore throat, cough, and general malaise. Given the frequency of colds, they are a public health burden and a significant cause of lost work productivity and school absenteeism. There are no established interventions to prevent colds or shorten their duration. However, zinc supplements are commonly recommended and taken for this purpose.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness and safety of zinc for the prevention and treatment of the common cold.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and LILACS to 22 May 2023, and searched Web of Science Core Collection and two trials registries to 14 June 2023. We also used reference checking, citation searching, and contact with study authors to identify additional studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in children or adults that tested any form of zinc against placebo to prevent or treat the common cold or upper respiratory infection (URTI). We excluded zinc interventions in which zinc was combined with other minerals, vitamins, or herbs (e.g. a multivitamin, or mineral supplement containing zinc).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess risks of bias, and GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. We independently extracted data. When necessary, we contacted study authors for additional information. We assessed zinc (type and route) with placebo in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Primary outcomes included the proportion of participants developing colds (for analyses of prevention trials only), duration of cold (measured in days from start to resolution of the cold), adverse events potentially due to zinc supplements (e.g. unpleasant taste, loss of smell, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea), and adverse events considered to be potential complications of the common cold (e.g. respiratory bacterial infections).
MAIN RESULTS
We included 34 studies (15 prevention, 19 treatment) involving 8526 participants. Twenty-two studies were conducted on adults and 12 studies were conducted on children. Most trials were conducted in the USA (n = 18), followed by India, Indonesia, Iran, and Turkey (two studies each), and Australia, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Tanzania, Thailand, and the UK (one study each). The 15 prevention studies identified the condition as either common cold (n = 8) or URTI (n = 7). However, almost all therapeutic studies (17/19) focused on the common cold. Most studies (17/34) evaluated the effectiveness of zinc administered as lozenges (3 prevention; 14 treatment) in acetate, gluconate, and orotate forms; gluconate lozenges were the most common (9/17). Zinc gluconate was given at doses between 45 and 276 mg/day for between 4.5 and 21 days. Five (5/17) lozenge studies gave acetate lozenges and two (2/17) gave both acetate and gluconate lozenges. One (1/17) lozenge study administered intranasal (gluconate) and lozenge (orotate) zinc in tandem for cold treatment. Of the 17/34 studies that did not use lozenges, 1/17 gave capsules, 3/17 administered dissolved powders, 5/17 gave tablets, 4/17 used syrups, and 4/17 used intranasal administration. Most studies were at unclear or high risk of bias in at least one domain. There may be little or no reduction in the risk of developing a cold with zinc compared to placebo (risk ratio (RR) 0.93, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.01; I = 20%; 9 studies, 1449 participants; low-certainty evidence). There may be little or no reduction in the mean number of colds that occur over five to 18 months of follow-up (mean difference (MD) -0.90, 95% CI -1.93 to 0.12; I = 96%; 2 studies, 1284 participants; low-certainty evidence). When colds occur, there is probably little or no difference in the duration of colds in days (MD -0.63, 95% CI -1.29 to 0.04; I² = 77%; 3 studies, 740 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and there may be little or no difference in global symptom severity (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.04, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.43; I² = 0%; 2 studies, 101 participants; low-certainty evidence). When zinc is used for cold treatment, there may be a reduction in the mean duration of the cold in days (MD -2.37, 95% CI -4.21 to -0.53; I² = 97%; 8 studies, 972 participants; low-certainty evidence), although it is uncertain whether there is a reduction in the risk of having an ongoing cold at the end of follow-up (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.27; I² = 65%; 5 studies, 357 participants; very low-certainty evidence), or global symptom severity (SMD -0.03, 95% CI -0.56 to 0.50; I² = 78%; 2 studies, 261 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and there may be little or no difference in the risk of a change in global symptom severity (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.23; 1 study, 114 participants; low-certainty evidence). Thirty-one studies reported non-serious adverse events (2422 participants). It is uncertain whether there is a difference in the risk of adverse events with zinc used for cold prevention (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.47; I = 0%; 7 studies, 1517 participants; very low-certainty evidence) or an increase in the risk of serious adverse events (RR 1.67, 95% CI 0.78 to 3.57; I = 0%; 3 studies, 1563 participants; low-certainty evidence). There is probably an increase in the risk of non-serious adverse events when zinc is used for cold treatment (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.55; I = 44%; 2084 participants, 16 studies; moderate-certainty evidence); no treatment study provided information on serious adverse events. No study provided clear information about adverse events considered to be potential complications of the common cold.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that zinc supplementation may have little or no effect on the prevention of colds but may reduce the duration of ongoing colds, with an increase in non-serious adverse events. Overall, there was wide variation in interventions (including concomitant therapy) and outcomes across the studies, as well as incomplete reporting of several domains, which should be considered when making conclusions about the efficacy of zinc for the common cold.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Bias; Common Cold; Dietary Supplements; Gluconates; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Zinc
PubMed: 38719213
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD014914.pub2 -
Journal of Crohn's & Colitis Apr 2024The impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on work productivity remains unclear. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we quantify work-related outcomes and...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on work productivity remains unclear. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we quantify work-related outcomes and employment data among persons with IBD.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, Scopus, ProQuest, and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to February 2023 to identify studies on work productivity in persons with IBD aged >18 years. Work productivity was defined primarily by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire which includes absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work impairment, and non-work activity impairment. In addition, we included data on employment, sick leaves, disability pensions, and indirect costs due to productivity loss. Pooled effect analysis was conducted using a random-effects model for pooled estimates of continuous and proportional data with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
Among all patients with IBD, the pooled estimates were 16.4% for absenteeism, 35.9% for presenteeism, 39.4% for overall work impairment, and 46.0% for non-work activity impairment. Indirect costs from overall work impairment were 5,131.09 euros/patient/year. Only two thirds of IBD patients were employed and 1 in 3 patients lost their jobs due to IBD. Among those employed, 39.5% report sick days, 21.3% report work disability, and 12.3% receive disability pensions. Most studies demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements in work productivity with medical and/or surgical therapies.
CONCLUSION
Persons with IBD experience significant work impairment and associated indirect costs. This highlights the need for appropriate workplace accommodations and timely medical therapy to alleviate the burden of disease and improve work outcomes.
PubMed: 38647194
DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjae057 -
Cardiology Apr 2024Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including pacemakers, defibrillators, and resynchronization devices, significantly enhance patient outcomes, reduce...
INTRODUCTION
Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including pacemakers, defibrillators, and resynchronization devices, significantly enhance patient outcomes, reduce sudden cardiac death, and improve health-related quality of life. CIED implantation is associated to persistent shoulder dysfunction in a considerable number of patients one-year post-implantation. This may result in disability, diminished quality of life, work absenteeism, and negative psychological effects. Restoring upper extremity function after CIED implantation should be a standard of cardiovascular care. Our systematic scoping review aimed to summarize available evidence, addressing vital questions about safety, effectiveness, exercise type, and time of exercise initiation immediately after CIED implantation.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive literature search in 5 electronic databases for original research in English, and a manual search on the references of included studies. We used Rayyan web application for study selection, and PRISMA-ScR to conduct and report the review. We assessed methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool and Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists.
RESULTS
This review included 6 studies that used upper extremity pendular, range of motion, stretching and strengthening exercises. Initiation time varied from the first postoperative day to the second postoperative week. All studies showed significant association between active upper extremity exercise and reduced dysfunction and disability after CIED implantation. There were no significant differences in complication rates between control and experimental groups.
CONCLUSION
A limited number of low-to-average quality studies suggest active upper extremity exercise immediately after CIED implantation is safe, effective at reducing dysfunction, and improves quality of life. Higher-quality studies are needed to validate these findings.
PubMed: 38643751
DOI: 10.1159/000538793 -
Work (Reading, Mass.) Apr 2024Dockworkers are exposed to physical overloads that can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders, leading to functional disability and absenteeism.
BACKGROUND
Dockworkers are exposed to physical overloads that can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders, leading to functional disability and absenteeism.
OBJECTIVE
to map, critically appraise, and synthesize the available evidence on the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases associated with port occupational activities.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted in structured and unstructured databases in August 2023, with no date or language restriction, to identify observational studies evaluating the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dockworkers' occupational activity. The risk of bias was assessed using validated tools based on the included study designs. Data from studies were pooled in meta-analyses. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.
RESULTS
We identified 12 analytical cross-sectional studies involving 7821 participants in ports of five countries. Most studies (75%) had a moderate methodological quality according to the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Considering the overall worker categories and any musculoskeletal disorders, the meta-analysis showed a prevalence of 58% (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] 37% to 78%), with degenerative spinal diseases 42% (95% CI -0.6% to 91%) and low back pain 36% (95% CI 21% to 50%) being the most prevalent conditions. Symptoms were predominantly in foremen and stevedores. The certainty of the evidence was very low.
CONCLUSIONS
Musculoskeletal disorders seem prevalent among dockworkers, mainly degenerative spinal diseases and low back pain. Studies with greater methodological consistency are still needed to validate these hypotheses and assist in decision-making for implementing preventive and informational policies in maritime port management organizations. PROSPERO registry CRD42021257677.
PubMed: 38607782
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230666 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2024Although many people infected with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) experience no or mild symptoms, some individuals can develop severe...
BACKGROUND
Although many people infected with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) experience no or mild symptoms, some individuals can develop severe illness and may die, particularly older people and those with underlying medical problems. Providing evidence-based interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection has become more urgent with the potential psychological toll imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Controlling exposures to occupational hazards is the fundamental method of protecting workers. When it comes to the transmission of viruses, workplaces should first consider control measures that can potentially have the most significant impact. According to the hierarchy of controls, one should first consider elimination (and substitution), then engineering controls, administrative controls, and lastly, personal protective equipment. This is the first update of a Cochrane review published 6 May 2022, with one new study added.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of interventions in non-healthcare-related workplaces aimed at reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to other interventions or no intervention.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collections, Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and medRxiv to 13 April 2023.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies of interventions. We included adult workers, both those who come into close contact with clients or customers (e.g. public-facing employees, such as cashiers or taxi drivers), and those who do not, but who could be infected by coworkers. We excluded studies involving healthcare workers. We included any intervention to prevent or reduce workers' exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace, defining categories of intervention according to the hierarchy of hazard controls (i.e. elimination; engineering controls; administrative controls; personal protective equipment).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection (or other respiratory viruses), SARS-CoV-2-related mortality, adverse events, and absenteeism from work. Our secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, quality of life, hospitalisation, and uptake, acceptability, or adherence to strategies. We used the Cochrane RoB 2 tool to assess risk of bias, and GRADE methods to evaluate the certainty of evidence for each outcome.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified 2 studies including a total of 16,014 participants. Elimination-of-exposure interventions We included one study examining an intervention that focused on elimination of hazards, which was an open-label, cluster-randomised, non-inferiority trial, conducted in England in 2021. The study compared standard 10-day self-isolation after contact with an infected person to a new strategy of daily rapid antigen testing and staying at work if the test is negative (test-based attendance). The trialists hypothesised that this would lead to a similar rate of infections, but lower COVID-related absence. Staff (N = 11,798) working at 76 schools were assigned to standard isolation, and staff (N = 12,229) working at 86 schools were assigned to the test-based attendance strategy. The results between test-based attendance and standard 10-day self-isolation were inconclusive for the rate of symptomatic polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (rate ratio (RR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74 to 2.21; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). The results between test-based attendance and standard 10-day self-isolation were inconclusive for the rate of any PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR 1.35, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.21; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). COVID-related absenteeism rates were 3704 absence days in 566,502 days-at-risk (6.5 per 1000 working days) in the control group and 2932 per 539,805 days-at-risk (5.4 per 1000 working days) in the intervention group (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.25). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence to low due to imprecision. Uptake of the intervention was 71% in the intervention group, but not reported for the control intervention. The trial did not measure our other outcomes of SARS-CoV-2-related mortality, adverse events, all-cause mortality, quality of life, or hospitalisation. We found seven ongoing studies using elimination-of-hazard strategies, six RCTs and one non-randomised trial. Administrative control interventions We found one ongoing RCT that aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in preventing COVID-19 infection and reducing disease severity. Combinations of eligible interventions We included one non-randomised study examining a combination of elimination of hazards, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. The study was conducted in two large retail companies in Italy in 2020. The study compared a safety operating protocol, measurement of body temperature and oxygen saturation upon entry, and a SARS-CoV-2 test strategy with a minimum activity protocol. Both groups received protective equipment. All employees working at the companies during the study period were included: 1987 in the intervention company and 1798 in the control company. The study did not report an outcome of interest for this systematic review. Other intervention categories We did not find any studies in this category.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We are uncertain whether a test-based attendance policy affects rates of PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (any infection; symptomatic infection) compared to standard 10-day self-isolation amongst school and college staff. A test-based attendance policy may result in little to no difference in absenteeism rates compared to standard 10-day self-isolation. The non-randomised study included in our updated search did not report any outcome of interest for this Cochrane review. As a large part of the population is exposed in the case of a pandemic, an apparently small relative effect that would not be worthwhile from the individual perspective may still affect many people, and thus become an important absolute effect from the enterprise or societal perspective. The included RCT did not report on any of our other primary outcomes (i.e. SARS-CoV-2-related mortality and adverse events). We identified no completed studies on any other interventions specified in this review; however, eight eligible studies are ongoing. More controlled studies are needed on testing and isolation strategies, and working from home, as these have important implications for work organisations.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Delivery of Health Care; Pandemics; Workplace
PubMed: 38597249
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015112.pub3 -
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Apr 2024Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting the skinfold regions. There is growing appreciation of the need for socioeconomic factors...
BACKGROUND
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting the skinfold regions. There is growing appreciation of the need for socioeconomic factors to be included in multidisciplinary assessments of HS. However, knowledge regarding HS and workplace function is limited.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the relationship between HS and workplace function.
METHODS
Cinahl, Embase, MedLine, PsycInfo and PubMed were systematically searched to collect data from studies in which validated surveys of workplace function were administered to HS patients.
RESULTS
Out of 1,932 publications, twelve studies were included in this review and seven reported sufficient data for meta-analysis. Included studies encompassed 5,187 HS patients and no controls. All studies employed the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, reporting percentage scores for absenteeism, presenteeism, total work productivity impairment (TWPI) and total activity impairment (TAI). Pooled mean scores for HS were calculated as 10.17% (95%CI 8.68-11.66) for absenteeism, 31.13% (95%CI 25.02-37.23) for presenteeism, 34.25% (95%CI 29.37-39.14) for TWPI, and 42.23% (95%CI 38.56-45.89) for TAI. Significant heterogeneity was identified and most studies were of 'poor' to 'fair' quality.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence suggests considerable impairment of workplace functioning in HS patients. Our findings point to a significant unmet treatment need with respect to improving working capability in HS. The extant literature is inadequate to reliably assess the mechanisms underlying this effect or to comparatively assess the capabilities of HS therapies to improve workplace function.
PubMed: 38589980
DOI: 10.1093/ced/llae120 -
American Journal of Industrial Medicine May 2024It is well documented that public safety personnel are exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) at elevated frequency and demonstrate higher prevalence of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
It is well documented that public safety personnel are exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) at elevated frequency and demonstrate higher prevalence of trauma-related symptoms compared to the general population. Lesser studied to date are the organizational consequences of workplace PTE exposure and associated mental health outcomes such as acute/posttraumatic stress disorder (ASD/PTSD), depression, and anxiety.
METHODS
The present review synthesizes international literature on work outcomes in public safety personnel (PSP) to explore whether and how PTE and trauma-related symptoms relate to workplace outcomes. A total of N = 55 eligible articles examining PTE or trauma-related symptoms in relation to work outcomes were systematically reviewed using best-evidence narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
Three primary work outcomes emerged across the literature: absenteeism, productivity/performance, and costs to organization. Across n = 21 studies of absenteeism, there was strong evidence that PTE or trauma-related symptoms are associated with increased sickness absence. N = 27 studies on productivity/performance demonstrated overall strong evidence of negative impacts in the workplace. N = 7 studies on cost to organizations demonstrated weak evidence that PTE exposure or trauma-related mental health outcomes are associated with increased cost to organization.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on available evidence, the experience of workplace PTE or trauma-related symptoms is associated with negative impact on PSP occupational functioning, though important potential confounds (e.g., organizational strain and individual risk factors) remain to be more extensively investigated.
Topics: Humans; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Anxiety; Workplace
PubMed: 38458612
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23577 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024School refusal is considered a risk factor for academic, social, and personal situations, such as school dropouts. Studies have been carried out on school refusal for...
School refusal is considered a risk factor for academic, social, and personal situations, such as school dropouts. Studies have been carried out on school refusal for almost 50 years. However, general research trends have not been mapped yet. This study summarizes the bibliometric analysis of scientific collaborations and prevalence across locations by country and institution, leading researchers, journals, and trends (keywords) in school refusal research. The United States, Japan, Spain, and England are the countries that stand out in terms of school refusal. It can be said that the Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, and Frontiers in Psychology are important journals that publish on school refusal. Researchers named Christopher A. Kearney, Carolina Gonzálvez, Jose Manuel Garcia-Fernandez, David A. Heyne, and Brigit M. Van Widenfelt have been found to have more intensive studies and collaborations on school refusal. The authors keywords common use for school refusal; are truancy, school absenteeism, adolescence, school attendance, school phobia, autism spectrum disorder, and bullying. The findings show that school refusal is a current research area, and scientific collaborations continue to be established. The findings reveal all the details of the school refusal research.
PubMed: 38410402
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1265781 -
Arthritis Research & Therapy Feb 2024Capacity to work is impacted by psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Our objective was to describe the course of work productivity and leisure activity in patients with PsA... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Capacity to work is impacted by psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Our objective was to describe the course of work productivity and leisure activity in patients with PsA treated with biologic (b) and targeted synthetic (ts) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
METHODS
A systematic literature review identified all trials and observational studies published January 1, 2010-October 22, 2021, reporting work productivity using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI) in patients with PsA treated with b/tsDMARDs. Outcomes for WPAI domains (absenteeism, presenteeism, total work productivity, and activity impairment) were collected at baseline and time point closest to 24 weeks of treatment. A random effects meta-analysis of single means was conducted to calculate an overall absolute mean change from baseline for each WPAI domain.
RESULTS
Twelve studies (ten randomized controlled and two observational) assessing patients treated with adalimumab, bimekizumab, guselkumab, ixekizumab, risankizumab, secukinumab, or upadacitinib were analysed. Among 3741 employed patients, overall mean baseline scores were 11.4%, 38.7%, 42.7%, and 48.9% for absenteeism, presenteeism, total work productivity impairment, and activity impairment, respectively. Estimated absolute mean improvements (95% confidence interval) to week 24 were 2.4 percentage points (%p) (0.6, 4.1), 17.8%p (16.2,19.3), 17.6%p (15.9,19.4), and 19.3%p (17.6, 21.0) respectively, leading to a mean relative improvement of 41% for total work productivity. The change in work outcomes in the b/tsDMARDs appeared similar.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic literature review and meta-analysis confirmed that patients with active PsA have a substantially reduced capacity to work and participate in leisure activities. Substantial improvements across various WPAI domains were noted after 24 weeks of b/tsDMARD treatment, especially in presenteeism, total work productivity, and activity impairment. These findings may be useful for reimbursement purposes and in the context of shared decision-making. This systematic literature review (SLR) of randomized clinical trials and observational studies of biologic (b) and targeted synthetic (ts) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs b/tsDMARDs in patients with PsA found that at treatment introduction, patients presented with a 42.7% mean productivity loss per week as assessed by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) Questionnaire. Through a meta-analysis comparing before/after values without adjustment for placebo response, we found that after 24 weeks of treatment with b/tsDMARDs, there was a mean absolute improvement of 17.6 percentage points and a mean relative improvement of 41% in total work productivity, with similar magnitudes of improvement in time spent at work and regular activities outside of work. These results provide clinical-, regulatory- and reimbursement decision-makers with data on the potential societal and socio-economic benefits of b/tsDMARDs in PsA.
Topics: Humans; Arthritis, Psoriatic; Treatment Outcome; Adalimumab; Antirheumatic Agents; Biological Products
PubMed: 38360699
DOI: 10.1186/s13075-024-03282-0