THU0709-HPR\u2005PERSONS WITH POLYMYOSITIS AND DERMATOMYOSITIS EXPERIENCE REDUCED WORK ABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Background: A recent study have described that persons with Polymyositis (PM) and Dermatomyositis (DM) experience reduced work ability (1). Information about whether the reduced work ability affect quality of life is lacking. Objectives: To describe self-rated work ability with two different assessment and quality of life in persons with PM and DM. To investigate correlations between self-rated work ability and quality of life Methods: Participants were identified through the Swedish Myositis Network registry (SweMyoNet). Of 78 possible participants, 48 agreed to participate in this study. The median (IQR) age were 57 (45-61) years with a median disease duration of 6 (2-14) years. Fifty-three percent of the participants were women. Seventy-seven percent were working, and the remaining were on sick-leave. Self-rated work ability was measured by the questionnaire Work Ability Index (WAI) and the Work Ability Score (WAS) which is a single item question. Quality of life by the SF-36. Results: Self-rated work ability measured by WAI in persons with PM and DM varied between poor work ability and good work ability. The median value of the group was 34 which indicates less good work ability. Self-rated work ability measured by WAS varied between poor work ability and good work ability. The median of the total group indicates less good work ability. There was a strong correlation between self-rated work ability measured by WAI and WAS (rs 0,879 p=0,01). Quality of life measured by SF-36 were rated lower in persons with PM and DM when compared to the general population in dimensions; Physical Function, Role-Physical, General Health, Vitality and Social function (p≤0.02). There were moderate to high correlations between self-rated work ability measured by both WAI and WAS, and all dimensions of SF-36 (p<0.01) Conclusion: Persons with PM and DM self-rated their work ability as poor and the quality of life were significantly reduced when compared to the general population. The measures WAI and WAS correlates highly with each other and revealed comparable results indicating that WAS may work as well as WAI as a screening tool to identify reduced work ability. The WAS may also be more feasible with just one single question to use in clinical practice. Our results indicate the importance to measure self-rated work ability in persons with PM and DM in clinical practice. References: [1] M. Regardt, I. E. Lundberg, et al. Work ability in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis: an explorative and descriptive study.Accepted for publication Work 2015;53:265-77. Disclosure of Interests: None declared