Determinants of unemployment amongst Australian systemic sclerosis patients: Results from a multicentre cohort study

Abstract

Objective. We sought to assess employment status, risk factors for unemployment and the associations of unemployment with patients' health related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods. All patients enrolled in a systemic sclerosis (SSc) longitudinal cohort study, completed an employment questionnaire on enrolment. Clinical manifestations were defined based on presence at the time of enrolment. Summary statistics, chi-square tests, univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine the associations of various risk factors with employment. Results. Among 1587 SSc patients, 160 (20%) were unemployed at the time of cohort enrolment excluding retired patients. Of these, 63% had l..