Background The aim of this study was to determine the work status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) while also defining the factors related to work disability.

Objectives In this study, our objective was to determine the work productivity, work disability and difficulty in time-off daily activities of the housewife and working patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the relation of these parameters with disease activity, anxiety, depression and quality of life.

Methods 82 patients with the diagnosis of RA (26 males, 56 females) and 29 healthy control subjects (5 males, 24 females) were included in the study. In patients with RA, DAS28 was used to evaluate the disease activity; Duruöz hand index was used to determine the functional status. In addition, HAQ (Heath assesment quality) and The Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey was used to evaluate the health status, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used for the evaluation of depression and anxiety and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem v2.0 (WPAI:SHP) was used to evaluate the work productivity.

Results Demographic characteristics such as age and gender, were comparable in both patient and control groups (p>0.05). The difficulty in the time off daily activities were worse in the patient group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Anxiety, were significantly higher in housewife RA group (p<0.05). Difficulty in time-off daily activities was correlated with VAS-fatigue and DAS28,HAQ,Duruöz hand index was correlated. (p<0.05).

Conclusions Even if they are not working in housewives, we have found that as much as the least active RA patients, it is difficult for activities in daily life, that the quality of life associated with the illness is low, and that depression and anxiety are similar to employees. As a result, disease activity, quality of life and functional status control in RA patients are as important as those who are working as housewives. Particularly in increasing productivity and participation in everyday life, the mood is influential and physicians must examine their patients in this regard. There is a need for more extensive cohort studies on this topic.

Disclosure of Interest None declared