Objectives-To assess work history and labour force participation among pati
ents with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Netherlands.
Methods-A random sample of 1056 patients with RA aged 16-59 years from 17 r
heumatology practices in the Netherlands was examined. Data on disease stat
us and outcome were obtained by a questionnaire including standardised inst
ruments, such as the Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology (
RADAR) and RAND-36 questionnaires. Labour force participation was defined a
s having a paid job.
Results-Of the study group with a mean disease duration of 12 years, 35.7%
held a paid job (men 56.7%; women 27.7%). When standardised for age, sex, a
nd educational level, the labour force participation of patients with RA wa
s 61.2% compared with 65.5% for the general population, which was not stati
stically significant. Disease duration of six years and more was negatively
associated with labour force participation.
Conclusions-After controlling for the confounding effects of age, sex, and
education, the labour force participation of patients with RA in the Nether
lands is only slightly lower than that of the general population.