OA Fastest Growing Cause of Disability Worldwide

Individuals suffering from osteoarthritis (OA) have almost twice the risk of losing time at work due to their illness as those who do not have OA. They are also three times as likely to become unemployed. Osteoarthritis is the fastest growing cause of disability worldwide, according to a study by researchers from the University of Calgary and Statistics in Canada.

The researchers went through the National Population Health Survey and selected 659 people with OA and matched them with 2, 144 non-OA individuals. They matched the subjects on the basis of age and sex and compared their reported work time loss from 2000 to 2010. After adjusting for socio-demographic, health and work-related status they found that the work time loss was 90% higher for those with OA. Unemployment tripled due to illness or disability among he OA sufferers.

“The association between OA and work loss is a relatively new area of research, ” said Behnam Sharif, the lead researcher and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary. “Work time loss will become an increasingly important problem among employed populations in western countries, including Canada. The prevalence of OA is growing due to aging populations and increasing obesity rates. In addition, decades of low birth rates mean western countries are facing the prospect of having to keep older people in the workforce.”

Researcher Deborah Marshall, Ph.D. said the study found lower income earners were more likely to stop working. “This may suggest poorer support for lower income groups in terms of illness and disability, ” she said.

“Within a generation, there will be a new diagnosis of OA every 60 seconds in Canada, ” said Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute’s Chief Operating Officer Christopher Smith. “We need to intensify efforts in prevention and care in response to the growing burden of this disease on individuals, public health care and the economy.”