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Factors associated with temporary work disability in patients with fibromyalgia

Rheumatology International volume 31, pages 1471–1477 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Temporary work disability (TWD) is more common in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) than among the rest of the workers. To describe the differences between patients who take sick leave (TWD group) and those who continue to work regularly (control group). To determine what factors are associated with TWD. Multicentre, cross-sectional study with a cohort of patients with FM seen in rheumatology clinics throughout Spain. The following information was recorded: demographic data, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, health self-perception, emotional issues, functional capacity, physical function tests, utilization of healthcare resources, TWD during the past 12 months, and quitting paid employment due to the disease. Descriptive statistics was used to compare variables between the TWD group and the control group. A logistic regression analysis was done to determine which factors are associated with TWD. The study cohort was composed of 301 patients with FM (women: 96.7%) with a mean age of 48.7 ± 8.5 years and a disease duration of 11.5 ± 9.1 years. There were 56.8% active workers, of whom 67.8% had had some TWD. The mean TWD length was 44 ± 69.6 days/year. TWD correlated significantly with sedentary work, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, self-perceived health, poor functional capacity, physical function, and healthcare resource utilization. The factors independently associated with TWD are sedentary work, more clinical manifestations, fatigue, and poor flexibility. Of the cases of people who quit their jobs, 66.9% were associated with FM. TWD in patients with FM is associated with sedentary work, a worse clinical situation, and worse functional capacity.

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Acknowledgments

Milena Gobbo and Unidad de Investigación de la Fundación Española de Reumatología, for their technical support. The work reported in this paper has been financed by Pfizer Laboratorios and Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS) PI 07/0202 of Spanish Ministry of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unidad de Reumatología, Instituto Provincial de Rehabilitación, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Francisco Silvela 40, 28028, Madrid, Spain

    J. Rivera

  2. Sección Reumatología, Hospital General Universitari d’Alacant, Alicante, Spain

    J. Esteve-Vives

  3. Departamento de Psicología de la Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamientos Psicológicos, UNED, Madrid, Spain

    M. A. Vallejo

  4. Laboratorios Pfizer, Madrid, Spain

    J. Rejas

Authors
  1. J. Rivera
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  2. J. Esteve-Vives
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  3. M. A. Vallejo
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  4. J. Rejas
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Consortia

Grupo ICAF

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Rivera.

Appendix

Appendix

Grupo ICAF: Alegre C (Hospital Vall de Hebrón, Barcelona), Alperi M (Hospital General de Asturias, Oviedo), Ballina FJ (Hospital General de Asturias, Oviedo), Belenguer R (Hospital 9 de Octubre, Valencia), Belmonte M (Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón), Beltrán J (Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón), Blanch J (Hospital IMAS, Barcelona), Collado A (Hospital Clinic, Barcelona), Fernández Dapica P (Hospital U. 12 de Octubre, Madrid), Francisco Hernández FM (Hospital Dr. Negrín, Gran Canaria), García Monforte A (Hospital GU Gregorio Marañón, Madrid), González Hernández T (IPR, Madrid), González Polo J (Hospital U. La Paz, Madrid), Hidalgo C (Centro Reumatológico, Salamanca), Mundo J (Hospital Clinic, Barcelona), Muñoz Carreño P (Hospital General, Guadalajara), Queiró R (Hospital General de Asturias, Oviedo), Riestra N (Hospital General de Asturias, Oviedo), Salido M (Clínica CLINISAS, Madrid), Vallejo I (Hospital Clinic, Barcelona), Vidal J (Hospital General, Guadalajara).

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Rivera, J., Esteve-Vives, J., Vallejo, M.A. et al. Factors associated with temporary work disability in patients with fibromyalgia. Rheumatol Int 31, 1471–1477 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1523-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1523-1

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