Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Risk Factors for Early Work Disability

Patient selection: Patients with SLE who were employed at some time since diagnosis.

Work disability was defined by self-report of being unable to work because of SLE.

A significant percent of patients with SLE either quit working or require substantial job modification within a few years of the diagnosis.

Risk factors on multivariate analysis associated with early work disability:

(1) high school education or less

(2) job requiring more physical strength (higher physical demands)

(3) greater disease activity at the time of diagnosis

Additional factors identified on univariate analysis:

(1) Medicaid or no health insurance

(2) income below the poverty level

where:

• Some of these factors may reflect being unable to afford medical care, which can result in delayed diagnosis or an inability to afford disease modifying medications.

• One issue affecting the decision to stop working may be whether or not the patient was able to apply for disability.