Abstract
Introduction
Around 5% of UK sickness absence (absenteeism) is due to COPD. However we know little about which factors are related to absenteeism in COPD patients to inform future interventions.
Aims and objectives
To carry out a cross-sectional analysis to assess factors associated with absenteeism in a primary care COPD cohort
Methods
Interim baseline data from a primary care cohort of COPD patients was used. We examine the associations between absenteeism and sociodemographic, clinical and occupational characteristics.
Results
Of 1700 COPD patients, 16.7% (n=283) were in work, of which ∼49% (n=139) reported absenteeism (> 1 day over 12m). Patients with absenteeism were more likely to be female (57.0% vs 44.4%), slightly younger (mean age 59.2 vs. 61.1) and to have ever smoked (47.8% vs. 42.1%) compared to those without. They were also more likely to report dyspnoea (p for trend < 0.01) poorer quality of life (p for trend < 0.01), more exacerbations in the last 12m (p for trend < 0.01) and more co-morbidities (OR=2.1; 1.02-4.31 for no comorbs vs. >3). However there were no significant associations with disease severity (GOLD stage). Using a logistic regression model including income level in addition to all the above covariates, increasing number of exacerbations (p for trend > 0.01) remained the only factor independently associated with self-reported absenteeism.
Conclusions
This is the first UK primary care study to assess associations between COPD and absenteeism. Interventions to reduce COPD exacerbations should be a focus in trials aimed at improving work productivity.
- © 2014 ERS
