Work productivity in systemic sclerosis, its economic burden and association with health-related quality of life

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate work productivity and its economic burden in SSc patients. Methods. Consecutive SSc patients enrolled in the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study were mailed questionnaires assessing employment (Workers' Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire and a custom-made questionnaire) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (36-item Short Form Health Survey and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29). Linear regression methods were used to determine factors associated with work productivity. Results. Among 476 patients submitting responses, 55.2% < 65 years of age were employed. Unemployed patients were older at the time of survey completion (5..