Factors Associated with a Higher Prevalence of Work Disability among Asthmatic Patients

Abstract

Objective. To study asthma-related absenteeism in the asthmatic population in Spain and to identify some risk factors for absenteeism. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed on patients who had been diagnosed with asthma in the primary care setting at least 1 year before the start of this study. A questionnaire was designed that included socio-demographic and clinical variables. The time absent from work in the previous year was self-reported by the patients. Results. More than 25% of the asthmatic population in Spain took sick leave during the previous year. Visits to a general practitioner or to the emergency department are the factors associated with the greatest risk of absenteeism. Conclusions. Absenteeism is common within the asthmatic population in Spain. The authors of this study believe that some of the determining factors could be modified by the health-care system.

• absenteeism
• asthma
• indirect costs
• risk factors
• work disability

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by AstraZeneca, Spain. Mónica Tafalla and Javier Nuevo are employees of AstraZeneca, Spain.