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Quality of Life Issues in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Employment for Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Research has shown that between up to 85% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remain employed even after having the condition for 14 years or longer. Risk factors for lower rates of employment include:
- Patients with more severe disease (e.g., restricted spinal mobility)
- Patients with active AS
- Reduced physical functional capacity
- Longer disease duration
- Older age
- Chronic pain
- Physically demanding job
- Lower level of education
- Lower socioeconomic levels
- Hip arthritis or replacement
- Presence of other illness
Some patients with ankylosing spondylitis (estimates are about 8%) report having to change occupations to less physically demanding jobs. Up to 33% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis report having to take extended sick leave at least once from their place of employment. There are indications that the risk relating to employment issues is reduced when the patient receives vocational counseling.
