OBJECTIVES

: The aim of this study was to analyze the employment status and work productivity of patients with AS and PsA before and after the start of adalimumab and to evaluate the relationship between employment status, work productivity, disease activity and clinical evaluation.

METHODS

: This is a multicenter, observational study of adult patients diagnosed with AS and PsA, starting adalimumab treatment in line with Belgian reimbursement criteria. Clinical and HRQoL parameters as well as work productivity (using WPAI-SHP) are evaluated after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months.

RESULTS

: Data from 173 patients were analyzed of which 117 had AS (67,6%) and 56 had PsA (32,4%). 121 patients (69,9%) completed the study. On average, all components of the WPAI questionnaire (absenteeism, presenteeism, total work productivity impairment due to the disease and % activity impairment due to the disease) improved substantially from baseline to month 18 (and to the last observation after baseline). Most of the improvement was already observed after 3 months. In the AS patients there was a clear correlation between BASDAI and HAQ-S improvement between baseline and month 18 and work productivity parameters. A similar correlation was noted between DAS28 and HAQ-DI improvement and work productivity parameters between baseline and month 18 in the PsA patients. The safety events were in line with the known safety profile of adalimumab in AS and PsA patients.

CONCLUSIONS

: For AS and PsA patients treated with adalimumab there is a marked improvement in disease activity and quality of life outcomes. The study demonstrated a substantial improvement in all four WPAI variables in both AS and PsA patients treated with Adalimumab. The clinical and HRQoL outcomes correlate clearly with meaningful improvements in work productivity and daily activities.