OP0261-HPR PERCEIVED CHALLENGES AT WORK AND NEED FOR SUPPORT AMONG PEOPLE WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS

Background: People with inflammatory arthritis (IA), i.e. rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic and axial spondyloarthritis, often experience low work ability up to 38% lose their job during the first years after being diagnosed IA (1). As a result, people have higher risk of loss permanent exclusion from labor market than without (1, 2). Work-related rehabilitation is complex encompass variety interventions which aim reduce barriers maintain improve ability. Unfortunately, positive results work-related scarce (3), why better understanding challenges at for needed develop relevant interventions. Objectives: To explore perceived need support remain among who are loss. Methods: A qualitative explorative design based on hermeneutic approach was applied. Outpatients considered themselves long-term loss, were recruited Danish Hospital Rheumatic Diseases. An interview guide developed earlier systematic review studies in close cooperation three patient research partners. Individual semi-structured interviews performed December 2019 May 2020. Results: Eleven women four men (aged 36-68 years) interviewed. The participants employed full time, part time or sick leave. From analysis, main theme ‘Balancing as everyday life’ sub-themes emerged: 1) Working despite challenges, 2) Prioritizing energy work, 3) Fatigue affects everything 4) Need support. be able very important all participants. In general, they stretching limits, had concerns about maintaining used different strategies deal met work. Flexibility every possible way employers co-workers needs Conclusion: Overall, patients prioritized keep working, but experienced balancing life. They flexibility References: [1]Sokka T, Kautiainen H, Pincus Verstappen SMM, Aggarwal A, Alten R, et al. Work disability remains major problem 2000s: Data 32 countries QUEST-RA Study. Arthritis Research Therapy. 2010;12(2):R42-R. [2]Hansen SM, Hetland ML, Pedersen J, Ostergaard M, Rubak TS, Bjorner JB. Effect longterm sickness absence 1994-2011: danish cohort study. Journal Rheumatology. 2016;43(4):707-15. [3]Madsen CMT, Kjaer, S., Primdahl, J., Christensen, J. R., & von Bulow, C. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF JOB LOSS PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS. Annals rheumatic diseases, 79(Suppl 916-917 [FRI0624-HPR]2020. Disclosure Interests: None declared