Prevalence of- and risk factors for work disability in Dutch patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Lieke M. Spekhorst, Bas Oldenburg, Ad A. van Bodegraven, Dirk J. de Jong, Floris Imhann, Andrea E. van der Meulen-de Jong, Marieke J. Pierik, Janneke C. van der Woude, Gerard Dijkstra, Geert D'Haens, Mark Lowenberg, Rinse K. Weersma, Eleonora A. M. Festen*, Parelsnoer Inst Dutch Initiative C

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

AIM

To determine the prevalence of work disability in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and to assess risk factors associated with work disability.

METHODS

For this retrospective cohort study, we retrieved clinical data from the Dutch IBD Biobank on July 2014, containing electronic patient records of 3388 IBD patients treated in the eight University Medical Centers in the Netherlands. Prevalence of work disability was assessed in 2794 IBD patients and compared with the general Dutch population. Multivariate analyses were performed for work disability (sick leave, partial and full disability) and long-term full work disability (> 80% work disability for > 2 years).

RESULTS

Prevalence of work disability was higher in Crohn's disease (CD) (29%) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (19%) patients compared to the general Dutch population (7%). In all IBD patients, female sex, a lower education level, and extra-intestinal manifestations, were associated with work disability. In CD patients, an age > 40 years at diagnosis, disease duration > 15 years, smoking, surgical interventions, and anti-TNF alpha use were associated with work disability. In UC patients, an age > 55 years, and immunomodulator use were associated with work disability. In CD patients, a lower education level (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.02-2.58), and in UC patients, disease complications (OR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.09-10.58) were associated with long-term full work disability.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of work disability in IBD patients is higher than in the general Dutch population. Early assessment of risk factors for work disability is necessary, as work disability is substantial among IBD patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8182-8192
Number of pages11
JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume23
Issue number46
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Crohn's disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Work disability
  • Health care costs
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • ULCERATIVE-COLITIS
  • CROHNS-DISEASE
  • SICK LEAVE
  • UNEMPLOYMENT
  • PROCTOCOLECTOMY
  • PARTICIPATION
  • POPULATION
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • THERAPY

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