EFFECTS OF RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL-PARTICIPATION DURING THE FIRST YEARS OF DISEASE IN THE NETHERLANDS

Objective. To study the effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on working capabilities and social participation, including nonpaying jobs, duri ng the first 6 yr of disease. Design. Cross-sectional study. Methods. In April 1996, a self-reporting questionnaire was sent to 424 particip ants of a population-based clinical trial of therapeutic strategies fo r early RA initiated in 1990. Results. A total of 363 completed questi onnaires were returned (response = 86%). Disease duration varied from <1 to 6 yr (mean 2.8 yr). The employment rate was low in the RA popula tion compared to the Dutch population. In the male 45- to 64-yr-old gr oup, 63% of RA patients were not employed compared to 32% of the Dutch population (P < 0.01). In the female 45- to 64-yr-old group, 76% of t he RA population vs 67% of the Dutch were not employed (P < 0.05). Of the employed patients, 59% reported that RA affected their working cap abilities, e.g. they worked an average of 21 h per week less due to RA . Of the patients without a paying job, 41% believed that this was (pa rtly) due to RA. In addition, fewer RA patients had non-paying jobs an d they performed fewer household activities compared to the general Du tch population. Conclusion. RA already has a negative influence on the working capabilities, social participation and household activities o f these patients during the first 6 yr of disease.