Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory arthritis (IA) impairs the patient’s functioning capacity and workforce participation. Real-world estimates of productivity loss and associated costs are essential to inform value-based healthcare, resource allocation, and policy planning. This study aimed to quantify the annual productivity losses and indirect costs among adults with IA using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI).
METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected from employed adults enrolled in the Rheum4U Precision Health Registry was performed (2016-2025). Participants with IA attending rheumatology clinics completed the WPAI, including absenteeism, presenteeism and overall work impairment (scores 0-100%, higher scores indicating greater impairment). Lost work hours were monetized using the Human Capital Approach with 2024 age- and sex-specific Canadian wage rates.
RESULTS: A total of 823 employed IA patients were included. The median age was 46 years, 65% were female, and the median disease duration was 7.3 years. The mean overall work impairment was 17%, comprising 5% absenteeism and 19% presenteeism. Participants lost a mean of 355 (95% CI= 322-389) work hours annually, translating into an average cost of CAD$12,718 (95% CI= 11,535-13,901) per patient. Women lost more work hours than men: 369 (95% CI= 328-411) versus 329 (95% CI= 276-382), yet had lower cost estimates: $12,486 (95% CI= 11,077-13,895) versus $13,139 (95% CI= 11,005-15,273), reflecting sex-based wage disparities.
CONCLUSIONS: IA imposes substantial productivity-related economic losses on patients, families, employers, and society, largely driven by presenteeism. The findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, timely access to effective therapies, and care strategies that maintain functional capacity and workforce participation. The results provide real-world evidence to support value-based care models, health policy, and resource allocation decisions. Sex differences further highlight the need to address wage inequities when evaluating the societal and economic burden of chronic diseases.