ePrints

The relationships between adult juvenile idiopathic arthritis and employment

Lookup NU author(s): Ajay MalviyaORCiD, Professor Stephen Rushton, Emerita Professor Helen Foster, Calum Ferris, Karthikeyan Muthumayandi, Professor David Deehan

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

Objectives: The chronicity of Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) into adulthood and attendant potential disability may adversely influence educational attainment and the ability to secure and maintain gainful employment. We investigated the impact of patient and disease specific factors on education and employment outcomes in patient group of adults with JIA. Methods A cross-sectional study of 103 consecutive adults attending a JIA continuity clinic was performed and consented patients completed questionnaires relating to educational achievement, employment status, functional disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ score)) and for those who were in employment, a Work Instability Score(RA-WIS). Results: The median age of patients was 24 years(range:17-71) with median disease duration of 19 years(range:7-67). Functional disability was significantly lower (mean HAQ score) in patients who were in employment (p=0.03) and those with oligoarticular JIA (t=2.28,p=0.02). Educational achievement was not influenced by JIA subtype (F=1.18,p=0.33). Educational achievement at General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)(F=11.63,p=0.001) had a positive impact on the type of job achieved in later life, with higher success leading to more professional or managerial posts. Job stability was influenced positively by educational achievement at GCSE and negatively by the disability score (t=10.94,p=6.36⁻¹⁶). Conclusion: We have used structural equation modelling technique to study key patient and disease variables for employment in adults with JIA. Educational attainment is key to successful employability and is influenced by functional disability rather than JIA subtype. This work has implications for choice of occupation and delivery of careers advice and decision making for young people with JIA.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Malviya A, Rushton SP, Foster HE, Ferris CM, Hanson H, Muthumayandi K, Deehan DJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatism

Year: 2012

Volume: 64

Issue: 9

Pages: 3016-3024

Print publication date: 27/08/2012

ISSN (print): 0004-3591

ISSN (electronic): 1529-0131

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/art.34499

DOI: 10.1002/art.34499

Altmetrics

Share