FRI0519 Work productivity is impaired in patients with behÇet’s syndrome

Background Behcet’s syndrome (BS) is most active during young adulthood and working years, thus affecting productivity. Work disability was previously reported especially among BS patients with eye, vascular and joint involvement. Objectives In this study, we aimed to evaluate the work productivity and instability of patients with BS compared to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and healthy controls (HC). Methods 100 (80 M/20 F) consecutive BS patients who were routinely followed in our dedicated BS centre were studied. Patients with AS; 26 22 M/4 F) who were followed in the rheumatology outpatient clinic of our unit and HC; 30 18 M/12 F) were included as controls. Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI), Work Productivity Survey (WPS), Work Instability Scale (WIS) were used. Quality of life was assessed with the Behcet Disease Quality of Life (BDQoL) scale and disease activity with the Behcet’s Disease Current Activity Index. Results Table 1 shows the characteristics of the included subjects. 28 of BS patients with only mucocutaneous, 28 with eye, 23 with vascular and 21 with neurologic involvement were included. Among BS patients 41% reported missing work days (mean 1.4 days/mo), and 49% reported that their productivity was reduced at least by half (mean 4.1 days/mo). The mean WIS score was 11.7 (5.8) in BS patients. 52 BS patients had moderate and 14 BS patients had high work instability. Patients with BS had significantly higher absenteeism (8.4% vs. 1.7%), presenteeism (37.6% vs. 9.3%), and daily activity impairment (27.5% vs. 8.6%) than HCs (p N/A: Not applicable; Behcet Disease Quality of Life: BDQoL; Behcet’s Disease Current Activity Index (BDCAI); Behcet’s Syndrome Activity Score (BSAS) Conclusions Work productivity is impaired in BS patients, especially among those with eye involvement. Work instability is frequent and correlated with disease activity and quality of life. Disclosure of Interest None declared