Loss of Work Productivity and Quality of Life in Patients With Autoimmune Bullous Dermatoses

K Heelan; S L Hitzig; S Knowles; A M Drucker; N Mittmann; S Walsh; N H Shear

doi:10.1177/1203475415582317

Loss of Work Productivity and Quality of Life in Patients With Autoimmune Bullous Dermatoses

J Cutan Med Surg. 2015 Nov-Dec;19(6):546-54. doi: 10.1177/1203475415582317. Epub 2015 Apr 17.

Authors

K Heelan¹, S L Hitzig², S Knowles³, A M Drucker⁴, N Mittmann⁵, S Walsh⁶, N H Shear⁷

Affiliations

¹ Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada [email protected].
² Institute for Life Course and Aging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
³ Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁴ Division of Dermatology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁵ Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada Health Outcomes and PharmacoEconomics (HOPE) Research Centre, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁶ Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁷ Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

PMID: 25888597
DOI: 10.1177/1203475415582317

Abstract

Background: Little is known about quality of life and work productivity in autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBDs).

Objective: To determine the impact of AIBDs on quality of life and work productivity.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study took place between February and May 2013 at an AIBD tertiary referral centre. Ninety-four patients were included. All participants completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Specific Health Problem questionnaires.

Results: Responders to treatment had less impairment (P<.001) than nonresponders. Patients with severe AIBD had significantly more impairment that those with mild (P<.001) and moderate (P=.002) AIBD. Greater impairment was associated with higher percentage of work missed. Those with a higher Dermatology Life Quality Index score had greater work impairment and overall activity impairment (P=.041, P=.024). Nonresponders had increased impairment while working (P<.001), overall work impairment (P<.001), and activity impairment (P<.001). Severely affected patients had worse impairment in all Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire domains.

Conclusions: AIBD has the potential to be a large burden on ability to work and quality of life. Larger studies are needed to clarify how these domains change over time and whether or not they improve with treatment.

Keywords: Dermatology Life Quality Index; Work Productivity and Activity Impairment; autoimmune bullous disorders; quality of life.

Publication types

Observational Study

MeSH terms

Absenteeism*
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Autoimmune Diseases / complications*
Autoimmune Diseases / psychology
Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Presenteeism*
Quality of Life*
Severity of Illness Index
Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / complications*
Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / psychology*
Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / therapy
Young Adult