Effects of rheumatoid arthritis on employment and social participation during the first years of disease in The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on working capabilities and social participation, including non-paying jobs, during the first 6 yr of disease. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS In April 1996, a self-reporting questionnaire was sent to 424 participants of a population-based clinical trial of therapeutic strategies for early RA initiated in 1990. RESULTS A total of 363 completed questionnaires were returned (response = 86%). Disease duration varied from < 1 to 6 yr (mean 2.8 yr). The employment rate was low in the RA population compared to the Dutch population. In the male 45- to 64-yr-old group, 63% of RA patients were not employed compared to 32% of the Dutch population (P < 0.01). In the female 45- to 64-yr-old group, 76% of the RA population vs 67% of the Dutch were not employed (P < 0.05). Of the employed patients, 59% reported that RA affected their working capabilities, e.g. they worked an average of 21 h per week less due to RA. Of the patients without a paying job, 41% believed that this was (partly) due to RA. In addition, fewer RA patients had non-paying jobs and they performed fewer household activities compared to the general Dutch population. CONCLUSION RA already has a negative influence on the working capabilities, social participation and household activities of these patients during the first 6 yr of disease.