Unemployment and disability in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease

Goals: Unemployment and disability rates in Crohn's disease patients from the ACCENT 1 trial were assessed. Factors associated with employment and disability status were explored. Background: Limited data regarding unemployment and disability status in patients with active Crohn's disease are available. Study: Baseline data were used to assess unemployment and disability rates. Logistic regression analysis examined factors that were associated with employment and disability status. Analysis of variance was used to compare quality of life. Results: The baseline full-and part-time employment rates were 48% and 13%, respectively, with 39% of patients unemployed and 25% receiving disability compensation. Only 14% of 225 unemployed patients felt well enough to work if a job were available. Younger age, female gender, shorter disease duration, and prior bowel resection predicted a higher likelihood of unemployment. Younger age and female gender also predicted a higher likelihood of not being employed full-time. Prior bowel resection predicted a higher likelihood of receiving disability compensation. Quality of life (Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, Short Form-36) scores were significantly higher in employed patients. Conclusions: Patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease had low employment and high disability rates. Given their economic importance, assessment of these outcomes should be integrated into future evaluations of therapy, including clinical trials.