Impact of 1-year treatment with dupilumab on work productivity in Japanese patients with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) places a burden on work productivity. Recently, dupilumab was approved for AD, but its impact on work productivity in Japanese patients has not been reported. Furthermore, data on the effect of long-term treatment with dupilumab on work productivity are limited. We investigated the work productivity and activity in Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe AD, utilizing the Japanese version of the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI-AD-Japan) questionnaire. Furthermore, we examined the impact of dupilumab on work productivity. Adult moderate-to-severe AD patients treated with dupilumab for more than 12 months from March 2020 to June 2022 who filled out the WPAI-AD-Japan questionnaire were included. Twenty-eight adult AD patients were analysed. Absenteeism was low (mean: 5.3%), but presenteeism, work productivity loss and activity impairment were high (36.8%, 39.7%, 48.9%, respectively). Significant positive correlations were observed between work productivity loss and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of pruritus and between activity impairment and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). Dupilumab treatment significantly reduced presenteeism, work productivity loss and activity impairment at both 6 and 12 months. The extent of their amelioration was numerically higher at 12 months than at 6 months. The reduction rates in presenteeism, work productivity loss and activity impairment were positively correlated with the reduction rates in DLQI and VAS score of pruritus at 12 months. Dupilumab improved work productivity in Japanese AD patients. Long-term remission of pruritus and improved quality of life are important for comprehensive improvement of work productivity.

Migraine and work - beyond absenteeism: Migraine severity and occupational burnout - A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Migraine, a condition affecting 12% of the population, is a prevalent cause of disability, significantly impacts individuals during their most productive working years. Several studies have established that a migraine patient's job performance is often limited by absenteeism and presenteeism. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of migraines on occupational burnout, which affects up to 40% of workers. METHODS: A subset of participants from the Negev Migraine Cohort, including both migraine patients and non-migraine controls, were asked to complete the study questionnaire. The main exposures of interest were migraine diagnosis and severity. The primary outcome was occupational burnout. Migraine severity and associated disability were evaluated using the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score, psychiatric comorbidities using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) scale and occupational burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS version) scale. Statistical analyses included multivariable quantile regression models to identify associations and adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: In total, 675 migraine patients and 232 non-migraine participants participated in the study. Migraine patients exhibited higher rates of depression (mean DASS-21: 0.864 vs. 0.664, standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.262), tended to work longer hours (median weekly hours: 40.0 vs. 36.0, SMD = 0.148) and expressed a preference for remote work (20.3% vs. 10.3%, SMD = 0.097). Migraine patients reported significantly higher levels of occupational burnout (mean burnout score: 3.46 vs. 2.82, SMD = 0.469). Controlling for depression, anxiety and stress, migraine diagnosis (25th percentile estimate = 0.67, p = 0.002, 75th percentile estimate = 0.92, p = 0.032) and migraine severity (estimates: 2.2-5.3, p < 0.001 for all) were associated with higher levels of occupational burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Migraine diagnosis and severity is associated with an occupational burnout, after controlling for various psychological and work-related factors. The findings underscore the need for workplace adjustments to support migraine patients' participation in the work market.

Pegcetacoplan in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria: Its use, its clinical effectiveness, and its influence on health-related quality of life and productivity.

OBJECTIVES: To describe real-world use/effectiveness of pegcetacoplan (PEG) in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). METHODS: Data were drawn from the Adelphi PNH Disease Specific Programme™, a cross-sectional survey conducted in France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the United States from January to November 2022. Patients had a confirmed PNH diagnosis and received PEG for ≥1 month. Physicians reported patient characteristics, treatment use/satisfaction and their perception of patients' fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patients reported treatment satisfaction and completed questionnaires assessing fatigue, HRQoL and productivity. Descriptive statistics were reported. RESULTS: Overall, 14 physicians provided data for 61 patients who had received 1080 mg/dose PEG for 1.3-14.8 months. At data collection compared to PEG initiation: haemoglobin was 2.5 g/dL higher on average; proportion of patients with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ≥1.5 × upper limit of normal was reduced by 27.4%; physician-perceived fatigue was lower and HRQoL better. Physician- and patient-reported treatment satisfaction was high for >90% of patients. Physicians and patients were more satisfied with PEG than previously prescribed C5 complement inhibitors. Mean work impairment and activity impairment in the 7 days prior to data collection were 32.9% and 22.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These real-world data support the effectiveness of PEG through positive effects on haemoglobin, LDH, fatigue and HRQoL.

School Dropout, Absenteeism and Coverage of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in South Africa: Are Those Most at Risk Reached?

School attendance or completion is important for adolescents' development. Adolescents who drop out or are regularly absent from school are at higher risk of adverse sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. However, there is little evidence evaluating SRH service coverage among adolescents in and out of school. In the context of a large-scale combination HIV and pregnancy prevention intervention funded by the Global Fund, we compared the SRH intervention coverage and SRH risks among adolescent girls who dropped out of school with those who were still in school or who had completed grade 12 in South Africa. Among those still in school, we compared the SRH intervention coverage and SRH risk profiles of those with high versus low or no absenteeism. In 2017 to 2018, we conducted a household survey of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years in six of the ten combination intervention districts. Of 2515 participants, 7.6% had dropped out of school. Among the 1864 participants still in school, 10.8% had high absenteeism. Ever having had sex, and condomless sex were more prevalent among dropouts compared with non-dropouts. Dropouts were more likely to access SRH services such as condoms and contraceptives, except the combination prevention intervention services which were more likely to reach those who had not dropped out and were equally likely to reach those in school with high versus low/no absenteeism. Combination SRH prevention programmes can improve the accessibility of SRH services for adolescents in school/who complete school.

Impact of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease on caregivers' work productivity: A multicenter study by the SEGHNP.

OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND: Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) poses significant challenges not only to patients but also to their families, particularly affecting the work productivity of caregivers. This Spanish multicenter study aims to elucidate the extent of this impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted between February 2021 and June 2023, involving parents or caregivers of PIBD patients aged 10-18 years. The study utilized the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaires alongside assessing disease activity and socioeconomic status to quantify work productivity loss and its economic implications. RESULTS: The study included 370 patients from 37 centers, highlighting a significant loss of work productivity among caregivers, especially mothers. The global unemployment rate was notably higher in this group compared to national averages (22.9% vs. 13.8%), particularly among females (30.7% vs. 13.7%), with absenteeism and presenteeism rates (26.4% and 39.9%) significantly impacting the caregivers' ability to work. The study also identified active disease and treatment with biologics or steroids as risk factors for increased work productivity loss. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers of children with inflammatory bowel disease face considerable challenges in maintaining employment, with a notable economic impact due to lost work hours. The findings underscore the need for targeted support and interventions to assist these families, suggesting potential areas for policy improvement and support mechanisms to mitigate the socioeconomic burden of PIBD on affected families.

Education and employment outcomes in pediatric chronic kidney disease.

As outcomes and survival for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have improved over the last 30 years, there is an emerging need to characterize and understand later educational and employment outcomes across the spectrum of pediatric CKD severity-ranging from mild CKD to requirement for dialysis and kidney transplantation. Although large-scale research on the topic of long-term educational and employment outcomes in the pediatric CKD population is relatively scarce, the existing literature does support that children across the spectrum of CKD severity are at risk for education-related difficulties including chronic school absenteeism. These education-related difficulties are compounded by well-described neurocognitive deficits-particularly in the domain of executive functioning-that may potentially perpetuate the risk for academic underachievement. This is particularly concerning given that data from the general pediatric population suggest that childhood academic underachievement is associated with higher likelihood of un-/underemployment in adulthood. This review highlights what is known about educational and employment outcomes among persons with a history of childhood CKD, as well as suggestions for interventions to improve educational outcomes for this population.

Economic costs associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors among Australian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship between unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) and their associated economic costs among adolescents using the 2014-2018 Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). METHODS: LSAC data in Wave 6 (n = 3538 adolescents aged 14-15 years), Wave 7 n = 3089 adolescents aged 16-17 years), and Wave 8 (n = 3037 adolescents aged 18-19 years) were derived from a representative sample of Australian adolescents. UWCBs were measured using the self-reported Branched Eating Disorder Test questionnaire. UWCBs were sub-classified into having fasting behaviors, using weight loss supplements or purging behaviors. Economic costs include healthcare and productivity costs to caregivers. Healthcare costs were measured using data from the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits, which includes both medical and pharmaceutical costs. Productivity losses were measured using caregivers' lost leisure time due to UWCBs among adolescents. RESULTS: The mixed effect model identified statistically significant higher economic costs (mean difference = $453, 95% CIs $154, $752), higher health care costs (mean difference = $399, 95% CIs $102, $695), and higher productivity costs (mean difference = $59, 95% CIs $29, $90) for adolescents with UWCBs compared to their peers with no UWCBs. Subgroup analysis revealed that higher costs were associated with fasting and purging behaviors. DISCUSSION: UWCBs were associated with increased economic costs during adolescence. Our finding suggests there should be a policy focus on tackling UWCBs to reduce the economic burden on the healthcare system and society. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The study contributes to existing knowledge by investigating the direct healthcare costs and productivity losses associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors in Australian adolescents (14-18 years old) using a dataset that follows Australian adolescents over time. We found that engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors such as fasting, using weight loss supplements, and purging was linked to higher costs among adolescents, suggesting policies should focus on addressing these behaviors.

Reducing sickness absence among public-sector healthcare employees: the difference-making roles of managerial and employee participation.

PURPOSE: Evaluations of organizational-level interventions to prevent work-related illness have identified enabling factors, but knowledge of necessary and sufficient conditions for intervention success is needed. The aim was to identify difference-making factors that distinguish intervention groups with and without a positive intervention effect on sickness absence. METHODS: An organizational-level intervention designed to decrease sickness absence by providing support from process facilitators was implemented at eight healthcare workplaces in Sweden between 2017 and 2018. We applied coincidence analysis (CNA) to analyze 34 factors and determine which factors were necessary and sufficient for a successful implementation of tailored interventional measures on an organizational level (dichotomous) and reduced sickness absence (trichotomous). RESULTS: Two factors perfectly explained both the presence and absence of a successful implementation: "a high sense of urgency" and "good anchoring and participation from the strategic management". The presence of either of these factors alone was sufficient for successful implementation, whereas the joint absence of both conditions was necessary and sufficient for the absence of successful implementation and an intervention effect. In addition, high employee participation was both necessary and sufficient for a high intervention effect. For organizations without high employee participation, successful implementation led to a medium-effect size. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified participation as a difference-maker in the implementation process. Participation from different stakeholders turned out to be important in different phases. When implementing organizational-level interventions, high participation from both strategic management and employees appears to be crucial in terms of the intervention's effect on sickness absence.

Determinants of clinic absenteeism in a chemotherapy service of a cancer center located at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Clinic absenteeism promotes higher waiting lists for medical procedures and public resources waste. OBJECTIVES: The present work aimed to identify the reasons for clinic absenteeism from each cycle of the antineoplastic chemotherapy treatment, as well as to determine the socio-demographic, clinical and treatment profiles of this population. METHODS: This observational prospective work evaluated pediatric and adult patients which missed their chemotherapy cycle between May and October 2023 in a Cancer Center located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Clinic absenteeism rate was calculated, and socio-demographic profile was described. Reasons for absenteeism, treatment protocol and most used drugs were also identified. RESULTS: This work analyzed data from 69 patients, the majority above 60 years old. Approximately 60% were male, 33.3% had little to no education and 63.8% lived outside the center city. Absenteeism average monthly rate was 1.73% for adults and 0.87% for children. The most related non-attendance reasons were patient feeling too ill to attend their chemotherapy session, failure to remember the cycle day and lack of means of transportation. Most prevalent neoplasms were from the digestive tract (46%). Fluorouracil, irinotecan, oxaliplatin and gemcitabine were the most discarded drugs due to absenteeism. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients and the ones residing far away from the Center tend to miss the scheduled chemotherapy cycles. However, most reasons for absenteeism could be avoided by confirmation calls or text messages. These procedures implementation could lead to a lower absenteeism rate and less resource waste.

The mediating role of perceived social support on the relationship between lack of occupational coping self-efficacy and implicit absenteeism among intensive care unit nurses: a multicenter cross­sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Implicit absenteeism is very common among nurses. Poor perceived social support of intensive care unit nurses has a negative impact on their mental and physical health. There is evidence that lack of occupational coping self-efficacy can promote implicit absenteeism; however, the relationship between lack of occupational coping self-efficacy in perceived social support and implicit absenteeism of intensive care unit nurses is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the role of perceived social support between lack of occupational coping self-efficacy and implicit absenteeism of intensive care unit nurses, and to provide reliable evidence to the management of clinical nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 517 intensive care unit nurses in 10 tertiary hospitals in Sichuan province, China was conducted, of which 474 were valid questionnaires with a valid recovery rate of 91.6%. The survey tools included the Chinese version of Implicit Absenteeism Scale, the Chinese version of Perceived Social Support Scale, the Chinese version of Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy Scale and the Sociodemographic characteristics. Descriptive analysis and Pearson correlation analysis were performed using SPSS version 22.0, while the mediating effects were performed using AMOS version 24.0. RESULTS: The average of intensive care unit nurses had a total implicit absenteeism score of (16.87 ± 3.98), in this study, the median of intensive care unit nurses' implicit absenteeism score was 17, there were 210 intensive care unit nurses with low implicit absenteeism (44.3%) and 264 ICU nurses with high implicit absenteeism (55.7%). A total perceived social support score of (62.87 ± 11.61), and a total lack of occupational coping self-efficacy score of (22.78 ± 5.98). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that implicit absenteeism was negatively correlated with perceived social support (r = -0.260, P < 0.001) and positively correlated with lack of occupational coping self-efficacy (r = 0.414, P < 0.001). In addition, we found that perceived social support plays a mediating role in lack of occupational coping self-efficacy and implicit absenteeism [ß = 0.049, 95% CI of (0.002, 0.101)]. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive care unit nurses had a high level of implicit absenteeism with a moderate level of perceived social support and lack of occupational coping self-efficacy. Nursing managers should pay attention to the nurses those who were within low levels of social support and negative coping strategies, and take measures to reduce intensive care unit nurses' professional stress, minimize implicit absenteeism.

Implications of absenteeism of health workers on achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria: exploring lived experiences in primary healthcare.

Primary healthcare facilities are the bedrock for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) because of their closeness to the grassroots and provision of healthcare at low cost. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the access and quality of health services in public primary healthcare centres (PHCs) are suboptimal, linked with persistent occurrence of absenteeism of health workers. We used a UHC framework developed by the World Health Organization-African Region to examine the link between absenteeism and the possible achievement of UHC in Nigeria. We undertook a qualitative study to elicit lived experiences of healthcare providers, service users, chairpersons of committees of the health facilities, and policymakers across six PHCs from six local government areas in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. One hundred and fifty participants sourced from the four groups were either interviewed or participated in group discussions. The World Health Organization-African Region UHC framework and phenomenological approach were used to frame data analysis. Absenteeism was very prevalent in the PHCs, where it constrained the possible contribution of PHCs to the achievement of UHC. The four indicators toward achievement of UHC, which are demand, access, quality, and resilience of health services, were all grossly affected by absenteeism. Absenteeism also weakened public trust in PHCs, resulting in an increase in patronage of both informal and private health providers, with negative effects on quality and cost of care. It is important that great attention is paid to both availability and productivity of human resources for health at the PHC level. These factors would help in reversing the dangers of absenteeism in primary healthcare and strengthening Nigeria's aspirations of achieving UHC.

'Pain free if I ever will be': lived experience of workers seeking care for pain attributed to musculoskeletal disorders.

BACKGROUND: Pain attributed to musculoskeletal disorders are a significant hinderance to work ability and economic growth, especially in developing countries. Quality of life and lived experience of workers with musculoskeletal disorders have not been explored enough to determine whether person-centred care is provided. There is a wealth of evidence for using the biomedical approach in the management of workers with musculoskeletal disorders, which has proved ineffective in reducing absenteeism and symptoms experienced by workers. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of workers seeking care for musculoskeletal disorders and how their pain attitudes and beliefs influenced their experience. METHODS: A qualitative approach with thematic analysis was used. Purposive sampling was used to recruit six participants for semi-structured interviews. All participants were either experiencing pain attributed to a musculoskeletal disorder or had received care for a musculoskeletal disorder. RESULTS: Pain attitudes and beliefs of workers with a musculoskeletal disorder and healthcare professionals greatly influenced the care and recovery process of musculoskeletal disorders. There is a primary biomedical lens informing care of workers with musculoskeletal disorders received. Workers expect healthcare professionals to explore their concerns further, but the focus of care for most participants was their presenting complaint. There is also a need for the autonomy of workers to be preserved, and communication between healthcare professionals and workers with musculoskeletal disorders needs to improve. CONCLUSIONS: Many stakeholders are involved in the recovery process from musculoskeletal disorders. There is a need for a biopsychosocial informed practice to improve return-to-work (RTW) in workers with musculoskeletal disorders. Change is needed at all healthcare system levels to reduce the negative experiences of workers and maladaptive pain beliefs that is associated with persisting symptoms and extended absenteeism.

Exploring line managers' perspectives on using data in managing sickness absence: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore line managers' perspectives on data as tool in the management of sickness absence in public sector workplaces in Denmark. METHODS: The study is a qualitative study based on 19 semi-structured interviews with line managers from four public sector workplaces characterized by high levels of sickness absence or poor work environment. The interviews were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The findings show that line managers primarily use data to identify employees at risk of sickness absence. The experiences highlighted related to how and when data are perceived as a valuable tool by the line managers, and that nuances in the data, accessibility of the data and how data are presented are important factors to ensure appropriate follow-up on sickness absence. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that for line managers to use data to manage sickness absence appropriately, the data must be easily accessible, simple for line managers to understand and provide line managers with a sufficient overview of sickness absence in their work units. It is also important to consider other factors affecting sickness absence, such as the work environment, when aiming to reduce sickness absence.

Incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza and RSV and associated presenteeism and absenteeism among healthcare personnel, Israel, influenza seasons 2016 to 2019.

BackgroundHealthcare personnel (HCP) are at high risk for respiratory infections through occupational exposure to respiratory viruses.AimWe used data from a prospective influenza vaccine effectiveness study in HCP to quantify the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) and their associated presenteeism and absenteeism.MethodsAt the start and end of each season, HCP at two Israeli hospitals provided serum to screen for antibodies to influenza virus using the haemagglutination inhibition assay. During the season, active monitoring for the development of ARI symptoms was conducted twice a week by RT-PCR testing of nasal swabs for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Workplace presenteeism and absenteeism were documented. We calculated incidences of influenza- and RSV-associated ARI and applied sampling weights to make estimates representative of the source population.ResultsThe median age of 2,505 participating HCP was 41 years, and 70% were female. Incidence was 9.1 per 100 person-seasons (95% CI: 5.8-14.2) for RT-PCR-confirmed influenza and 2.5 per 100 person-seasons (95% CI: 0.9-7.1) for RSV illness. Each season, 18-23% of unvaccinated and influenza-negative HCP seroconverted. The incidence of seroconversion or RT-PCR-confirmed influenza was 27.5 per 100 person-seasons (95% CI: 17.8-42.5). Work during illness occurred in 92% (95% CI: 91-93) of ARI episodes, absence from work in 38% (95% CI: 36-40).ConclusionInfluenza virus and RSV infections and associated presenteeism and absenteeism were common among HCP. Improving vaccination uptake among HCP, infection control, and encouraging sick HCP to stay home are important strategies to reduce ARI incidence and decrease the risk of in-hospital transmission.

Impact of second victim distress on healthcare professionals' intent to leave, absenteeism and resilience: A mediation model of organizational support.

AIMS: To examine the relationship between the second victim distress and outcome variables, specifically: 'turnover intentions, absenteeism and resilience'. Furthermore, this study also assessed how organizational support mediates the relationship between second victim distress and outcome variables. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study using regression and mediation analysis with bootstrapping was conducted among (n = 149) healthcare professionals in two university hospitals in Finland from September 2022 to April 2023 during different time periods. The Finnish version of the revised Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (FI-SVEST-R) was used to assess second victim distress, level of organizational support and related outcomes. RESULTS: Psychological distress was the most frequently experienced form of reported second victim distress, and institutional support was the lowest perceived form of support by healthcare professionals. The study found second victim distress to have a significant association with work-related outcomes: turnover intention and absenteeism. However, no significant relationship was found with resilience. Mediation models with organizational support revealed a partially mediated relationship between second victim distress and work-related outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study indicate that second victim experiences if not adequately addressed can lead to negative work-related outcomes such as increased job turnover and absenteeism. Such outcomes not only affect healthcare professionals but can also have a cascading effect on the quality of care. However, the mediating effect of organizational support suggests that if comprehensive support is provided, it is possible to mitigate the negative impact of the second victim phenomenon. IMPACT: Raising awareness regarding the second victim phenomenon, promoting a culture of safety and shifting the paradigm from a blame to just culture helps in identifying the system flaws thus improving both patient and provider safety. REPORTING METHOD: The study adheres to the STROBE reporting guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Targeting systems not individuals: Institutional and structural drivers of absenteeism among primary healthcare workers in Nigeria.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can only be achieved if people receive good quality care from health workers, yet in Nigeria, as in many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), many health workers are absent from work. Absenteeism is a well-known phenomenon but is often considered as the self-serving behaviour of individuals, independent from the characteristics of health systems structures and processes and the broader contexts that enable it. We undertook a qualitative inquiry among 40 key informants, comprising health facility heads and workers, community leaders and state-level health policymakers in Nigeria. We employed a phenomenology approach to examine their lived experiences and grouped findings into thematic clusters. Absenteeism by health workers was found to be a response to structural problems at two levels -midstream (facility-level) and upstream (government level) - rather than being a result of moral failure of individuals. The problems at midstream level pointed to an inconsistent and unfair application of rules and regulations in facilities and ineffective management, while the upstream drivers relate mainly to political interference and suboptimal health system leadership. Reducing absenteeism requires two-pronged interventions that tackle defects in the upstream and midstream rather than just focusing on sanctioning deviant staff (downstream).

Work Disability and Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Teleworkers: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: This project aimed to examine the existing evidence on work disability or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among teleworkers. METHOD: A scoping review was conducted in eight bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, ABI/Inform Global, EBM Reviews, Web of Science, Dissertations & Theses Global) from inception to June 2022. RESULTS: Out of 9192 records identified, a total of 79 selected articles representing 77 studies were retained. Most studies were published after 2019, aligning with the COVID-19 pandemic's telework surge. Among the included papers, 51 addressed MSDs among teleworkers, 17 were on work disability, and 11 addressed both concepts. The studies were predominantly cross-sectional. Some trends are emerging, although study results are contradictory. Several papers reported increased musculoskeletal discomfort among teleworkers. Factors associated with MSDs among teleworkers include poor workstation setup, extended workdays, sedentary lifestyle, excessive devices use, and psychological factors. Regarding work disability, studies found that telework is associated with reduced absenteeism but increased presenteeism, with employees more likely to work while unwell from home than when on-site. Mixed results were found regarding teleworkers' work ability and functioning. CONCLUSION: This paper provides an overview of the literature on work disability and MSDs among teleworkers. It identifies literature gaps, underlining the need for ergonomic improvements, long-term impact studies, a better conceptualization of presenteeism in the context of telework, and tailored interventions to enhance the telework experience.

Double Trouble! Do Workplace Supports Mitigate Lost Productivity for Young Workers with Both Severe Rheumatic Diseases and Depressive Symptoms?

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this longitudinal study were to understand how comorbid rheumatic disease and depression symptoms were associated with at-work productivity among young adults, and to examine whether workplace support modified this association. METHODS: Seventy-six Canadian young adults who were employed and living with a rheumatic disease were surveyed three times over 27 months. Morbidity was defined by whether participants reported severe rheumatic disease symptoms and/or depressive symptoms. Participants were asked about presenteeism, absenteeism, and whether the workplace support needs (accommodation and benefit availability and use) were met. Generalized estimating equations were used to address study objectives. RESULTS: Seventeen participants experienced neither severe rheumatic disease nor depressive symptoms (no morbidity), 42 participants experienced either severe rheumatic disease or depressive symptoms (single morbidity), and 17 participants reported comorbidity at baseline. Participants with comorbidity reported greater presenteeism scores and were most likely to report absenteeism, compared to the other two morbidity levels. Having workplace support needs met was associated with decreased presenteeism over the 27-month period among participants with no and a single morbidity. Conversely, unmet support need was associated with greater presenteeism for participants with comorbidity. Having workplace support needs met did not modify the association between morbidity and absenteeism. CONCLUSION: Comorbid rheumatic disease and depression burden reduce productivity among young adults. A supportive work environment has the potential to address at-work productivity challenges. Additional research is needed to understand how workplace supports coupled with clinical interventions may tackle challenges at work for young adults living with rheumatic disease and depression.

Exploring the Role of Sickness Absence Coordinators in Implementing Interventions to Reduce Sickness Absence in Public Sector Workplaces in Denmark.

PURPOSE: In 2019, an initiative to reduce sickness absence in public sector workplaces in Denmark was introduced. The initiative involved appointing a sickness absence coordinator (SA coordinator) to oversee the implementation of workplace-based sickness absence interventions. Since the role of the SA coordinator is a novel concept introduced as part of the initiative, this study investigates the responsibilities of SA coordinators and the challenges they experienced in fulfilling this role during the implementation process. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with and observations of SA coordinators from four public sector workplaces were carried out. We collected the first four interviews and observations during the implementation process with follow-up interviews collected at the end of the process. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The SA coordinators all experienced challenges in terms of lack of commitment among the line managers to participate in the intervention. They experienced being seen as a burden rather than a helping hand, and felt that the line managers might have difficulty recognizing the value of the SA coordinators. Potential ways to improve the collaboration between the SA coordinators and the line managers include considering hiring the SA coordinator in-house and incorporation of intervention components into existing activities to accommodate the busyness of the line managers. CONCLUSIONS: To support the SA coordinators in carrying out their role and responsibilities, this study suggests that it is important to ensure commitment to the role, especially among the line managers in order to enhance good working relationships.

School type and oral conditions associated with school performance and absenteeism in adolescents: A multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Investigations assessing how oral health status affects school performance and attendance considering individual and community variables are lacking. AIM: To analyze the association of school contextual factors and oral conditions with school performance and absenteeism in early adolescence. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 593 12-year-old students from 20 schools in Passo Fundo, a southern city in Brazil. The caregivers provided sociodemographic information by means of a questionnaire. Oral health status was clinically examined for dental caries and gingival bleeding. Students answered the CPQ11-14 questionnaire to assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Information on contextual factors was obtained from the schools' administrators. "School performance" was measured by Portuguese and Mathematic tests' scores, and "school absenteeism" by the number of school days missed. Descriptive statistics was conducted, followed by unadjusted and adjusted multilevel linear regression. RESULTS: At the individual level, low OHRQoL was associated with lower school performance and higher absenteeism. At the contextual level, students from private schools had higher school performance and lower mean of school days missed. CONCLUSIONS: The type of school and OHRQoL were associated with school performance and attendance of adolescents.