Impact of gender on work productivity loss and activity impairment in asthmatic patients

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Many patients experienced symptoms that affect their everyday lives despite receiving long-term controller medication. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the gender on activity impairment and work productivity decline.

Methods: This was a prospective study including asthmatic patients consulting over a period of one year in the Pulmonology Department. Work Productivity has evaluated by productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI) and the fatigue was assessed Pichot’s questionnaire.

Results: A total of 101 asthmatic patients were included, with an average age of 44.1 years. The majority of the population study was female (66.3%). Most workers belonged to textile sector (29.7%). Asthma was allergic in 84.2% and occupational in 12.8% of cases. Six patients (5.9%) had a severe asthma. Asthma was uncontrolled among 62.4% of patients. The absenteeism rate was 4.41% and prensenteeism rate was 33.1%. The work productivity loss was 30.4%. The women patients versus men was associated with a greater percentage of impairment at work (34.1 % vs. 23.5%, p=0.02). The absenteeism rate was higher for women but without a statistically significant difference (p=0.14). On the other hand, the rate of presenteeism was more significant among women (37.6% vs 24.2%, p=0.01). Women expressed a greater rate of fatigue than men with a statistically significant difference (14.6 vs 11.6, p=0.05).

Conclusion: Among women, asthma tends to have a more pronounced effect on work productivity.