Disability and work productivity impairment in systemic scleroderma: multiple case study

Disability and work productivity impairment in systemic scleroderma: multiple case study

A.A. Klimenko, E.P. Mikheeva, N.A. Shostak, N.M. Babadaeva 

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 

Patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc) commonly become incapacitated. The progressive disease course has a significant impact on both the functional state of patients and their professional activities, leading to a work productivity impairment or even a job loss. The disease is accompanied by a change in body appearance, the hand flexion contracture with progression, fatigue, Raynaud’s phenomenon with numbness and paresthesia and severe dyspnea, which can lead to a decrease in life quality and functional disorders.

This article presents a multiple case study of patients with SSc. It shows a decrease in the life quality according to the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, and a decrease in daily activity according to Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire. High rates of absenteeism, presenteeism and reduced work productivity were noted in employed patients. Also, all patients had mild functional disorders determined by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the modified Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SSc HAQ).

The presented cases will help medical specialists to focus on clinical manifestations that contribute to the work productivity impairment or its loss before retirement age.

Keywords: systemic scleroderma, disability, functional disorder, dyspnea, subcutaneous calcifications, flexion contractures.

For citation: Klimenko A.A., Mikheeva E.P., Shostak N.A., Babadaeva N.M. Disability and work productivity impairment in systemic scleroderma: multiple case study. RMJ. 2024;3:29–35.