Disease often strikes key segment of workforce: People aged 35 to 50
Rheumatoid arthritis is a musculoskeletal condition that affects about one per cent of Canadians – unfortunately many others may present signs and symptoms but remain undiagnosed and untreated.
The disease often strikes people between 35 to 50 years of age, meaning its affect on the workplace is significant, reports Connex, a Burlington Ont.-based workplace health, wellness and productivity management consulting firm. As in other chronic conditions, early diagnosis and treatment is the best method of managing this disease and mitigating long term costs.
To mitigate their plan liabilities plan sponsors should be aware and clearly communicate to employees – in corporate newsletters, for example -- that early diagnosis, treatment and management of this disease is essential to maintaining a healthy balance in the workplace and reducing presenteeism, absenteeism and disability.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease which is characterized by inflammation in the lining of the joints. It is a systemic disease, which means it can cause severe fatigue and affect other parts of the body, including the eyes, lungs or heart.
Unless it is well managed, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to long term damage of the joints, chronic pain, loss of function and disability; it must be treated promptly and aggressively to avoid the permanent joint damage that can occur in the first few years of onset, which can lead to disability.
Read more: Early treatment cuts rheumatoid arthritis treatment costs
