Arthritis Research Information
Half of those living with arthritis are
“too sore to socialise”
First ever survey on effect of arthritis on patient well being and relationships launched today by Arthritis Ireland
The first nationwide survey on patient well being and relationships, conducted by Arthritis Ireland and sponsored by Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals (Ireland), shows one in two (48%) people with arthritis can no longer participate in social activities they used to enjoy, while one in three (30%) are worried about how their condition has affected their appearance. The survey, which was conducted among 128 people with arthritis in seven rheumatology clinics around the country throughout 2008, shows the debilitating effect of arthritis on people as everyday life becomes difficult or impossible to maintain. For a full copy of the research findings, please click here
Health of Ireland’s workforce is undermining our competitiveness
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) cause 50% of absences from work and costs Irish economy €750 million annually yet early diagnosis and intervention could keep more Irish workers Fit For Work.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including back pain, work- related upper-limb disorder and rheumatic diseases including arthritis are the cause of 50 percent of sick days in Ireland costing the economy an estimated €750 million each year according to research contained in a new report. But early detection and intervention can reduce the burden on the Government’s health and disability budgets. The report, published by The Work Foundation based in the UK, presents evidence that work is good for your health and adopting an approach that focuses on capacity rather than incapacity is also better for the employees who suffer from any of these conditions. It also shows that:
- MSDs account for more than twice the number of working days lost from work than the number of days lost due to stress at a time when unemployment in Ireland is rising steeply.
- Up to 49 per cent of people with MSDs were limited in the kind of work they were able to perform as a result of their condition.
- Spending on illness/disability benefits for those of working age from all conditions including MSDs increased by 500 per cent between 1998 and 2007.
These are among key findings in the Fit For Work? report that was presented to key policy makers today. The report makes key recommendations to Government, employers and employees, GPs and Occupational Health Professionals.
The report for Ireland is part of a study covering 25 countries in Europe together with Israel and Canada and involved the analysis of available statistical data, interviews with practitioners and review of published studies. The Irish report exposes the need for a radical overhaul of the way MSDs are managed and signals the potential for significant economic benefits and better outcomes for sufferers if earlier detection and intervention followed by more effective management practices existed.
A lack of capacity among some employers to deal with employee sickness and a lack of awareness among employees about how to manage their condition is identified in the report along with mixed messages on the effectiveness of various methods of workplace interventions and return to work programmes. Some of the key recommendations include:
· Employers can play a positive role by shifting focus on capacity not incapacity. Return to work plans should be formalised with employees taking into consideration that they may not be 100% fit for work.
· The introduction of a “Fit Note” rather than a “Sick Note” to assist employees dealing with MSD’s to remain in the workforce both for their own well-being and health as well as benefiting employers through the ongoing participation, experience and knowledge of the enterprise or organisation.
· Employees should play an active part in the management of the condition. They should find out more about the condition, watch for patterns in pain or fatigue and learn to minimise the impact on functioning and mood.
· Healthcare professionals need to intervene as early as possible. Evidence suggests that long periods away from work are usually bad for MSD patients. Early action preferably with the patient and their employer can help to achieve a balance between an individual’s need for respite and their need to work.
· Government must coordinate activity and policy relating to the management of MSD’s across key Departments and address the need for improvement in access to clinical expertise. The shortage of rheumatologists is affecting the ability of people of working age to get access to interventions which may save jobs. The removal of qualified and highly skilled workers with MSDs from the Irish workforce will result in a lack of productivity and competitiveness. In addition, the Irish workforce is ageing and with it the increasing MSD prevalence over the next 20 – 30 years.
Stephen Bevan, Managing Director of The Work Foundation said, “The report should help show policy makers and employers that if Ireland’s workforce is to be productive and competitive in the global economy, and if the quality of their working lives is to be enhanced, it is important that a high proportion of the workforce is, as far as possible, fit for work.”
MSDs include Back Pain, Work-related Upper-limb Disorders, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthropathy (see editors notes for further details). Rheumatology is the medical discipline that treats the majority of these conditions, however, with only one Consultant Rheumatologist per 200,000 people in the population – it is clear that the medical discipline that cares for the majority of MSDs is chronically understaffed. A ratio of one Consultant Rheumatologist for every 80,000 people in the population is recommended.
Commenting on the launch of the ‘Fit For Work?’ report, Chairman of Arthritis Ireland and leading Irish Rheumatologist Prof. Oliver Fitzgerald, St Vincent’s Hospital said, “Work is unambiguously good for our health. ‘Fit For Work?’ highlights the huge impact MSDs have on the economy and general health of our workforce. Early intervention and access to the right kind of treatments are crucial in ensuring Ireland is ‘Fit For Work?’ In some instances Irish patients with MSDs can wait as long as four years for treatment. This is particularly compelling when you consider rheumatoid arthritis, one of the MSDs listed in the report, will result in irreversible damage if left untreated for this length of time.”
Today’s launch is the first stage in a European-wide and beyond initiative that will see The Work Foundation produce independent country-specific Fit For Work? reports. Ireland will see a three phase campaign that will target employees, employers, GPs and policy makers. Further roll-out will include the development of a range of tools that will help all people with MSDs to be as fit for work as possible.
The full report can be downloaded here.
Notes to editor
Cost to the Economy
The cost of €750 million to the economy is an estimation based on the fact that 14 million work days are lost each year in Ireland at a cost €1.5 billion (IBEC 2004), 50% of these lost days are due to MSDs (QNHS, 2004).
About Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders is an umbrella term covering a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves and supporting blood vessels.
The four categories of MSDs addressed in the Fit For Work? report are as follows:
- Back pain
- Work-related upper-limb disorders (WRULDs)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Spondyloarthropathy (SpA)
About The Work Foundation
The Work Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that through research, consultancy and advocacy aims to improve the quality of working life. Working with both public sector and private sector organisations, it offers a distinctive mix of practical consultancy, robust research and campaigning on policy issues. It also runs a major programme of research and consultancy around Health and Wellbeing issues.
About the Fit for Work initiative
The Work Foundation’s Fit for Work project is supported by a research grant from Abbott, the global healthcare company. Arthritis Ireland is the national partner for the launch of the Irish report. Fit for Work reports are produced independently by The Work Foundation, with full editorial control resting with The Work Foundation alone.
Research Articles
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 |  Rheumatoid Arthritis Survey | ||
| Too Sore to Socialise | ||
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