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Work-related factors impact RA disability

Physician Practice Advisor, December 13, 2004

A change in certain work conditions may help adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stay on the job, according to preliminary research reported in the October 15 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.

The study, sponsored by Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, surveyed nearly 600 adults with RA. It found that certain work-related factors, such as whether workers received ergonomic adjustments to their workstations, and the difficulty of the commute to work, were tied to the risk of work disability, defined as being off of work for at least six months due to RA symptoms.

People whose personal work space was modified to make them more comfortable were 60% less likely to miss work, compared with those who reported no such workstation adjustments (e.g., keyboard position).

In addition, men and women who reported physical difficulty getting to work were at greater risk of work disability. Further, survey respondents who were self-employed were five times less likely to report work disability than those who weren't.

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