AIMS: Various social and economic effects are associated with asthma. This quantitative study describes the effects of current asthma on work life evaluated from the number of weeks receiving transfer incomes. METHODS: The study population comprised 7,241 persons answering the ECRHS II screening questionnaire, which was sent to a random age and gender stratified sample of 10,000 persons aged 20 to 44 years. Participants with current asthma were identified by positive answers to a set of validated questions. Transfer incomes for a five-year period were registered from a study-independent national database, which collects all public administered transfer incomes in Denmark. The numbers of weeks receiving unemployment, welfare, sick-leave and disability benefits were identified for each participant and differences between asthmatics and non-asthmatics were analyzed. RESULTS: Asthmatics had significantly more annual weeks receiving welfare (36.6 vs. 20.7, p=0.00), sick leave (9.2 vs. 6.6, p=0.00) and disability (19.3 vs. 11.4, p=0.00) benefits than non-asthmatics. Adult-onset asthmatics had increased prevalence rate ratios for disability of 2.40 (95% confidence interval 1.70-3.40). Blue collar work significantly increased the probability of all public transfer incomes. CONCLUSIONS: Current asthma makes it harder to keep a job. Adult-onset asthmatics and blue collar workers are particularly affected.
AIMS: Various social and economic effects are associated with asthma. This quantitative study describes the effects of current asthma on work life evaluated from the number of weeks receiving transfer incomes. METHODS: The study population comprised 7,241 persons answering the ECRHS II screening questionnaire, which was sent to a random age and gender stratified sample of 10,000 persons aged 20 to 44 years. Participants with current asthma were identified by positive answers to a set of validated questions. Transfer incomes for a five-year period were registered from a study-independent national database, which collects all public administered transfer incomes in Denmark. The numbers of weeks receiving unemployment, welfare, sick-leave and disability benefits were identified for each participant and differences between asthmatics and non-asthmatics were analyzed. RESULTS: Asthmatics had significantly more annual weeks receiving welfare (36.6 vs. 20.7, p=0.00), sick leave (9.2 vs. 6.6, p=0.00) and disability (19.3 vs. 11.4, p=0.00) benefits than non-asthmatics. Adult-onset asthmatics had increased prevalence rate ratios for disability of 2.40 (95% confidence interval 1.70-3.40). Blue collar work significantly increased the probability of all public transfer incomes. CONCLUSIONS: Current asthma makes it harder to keep a job. Adult-onset asthmatics and blue collar workers are particularly affected.
Authors: Sara De Matteis; Dick Heederik; Alex Burdorf; Claudio Colosio; Paul Cullinan; Paul K Henneberger; Ann Olsson; Anne Raynal; Jos Rooijackers; Tiina Santonen; Joaquin Sastre; Vivi Schlünssen; Martie van Tongeren; Torben Sigsgaard Journal: Eur Respir Rev Date: 2017-11-15
Authors: Marit Müller De Bortoli; Anne Kristin Møller Fell; Martin Veel Svendsen; Paul K Henneberger; Johny Kongerud; Inger M Oellingrath Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-04-17 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Stinna Skaaby; Esben Meulengracht Flachs; Peter Lange; Vivi Schlünssen; Jacob Louis Marott; Charlotte Brauer; Børge G Nordestgaard; Steven Sadhra; Om Kurmi; Jens Peter Ellekilde Bonde Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-12-28 Impact factor: 3.240