What is the impact of Arthritis on work-life?

Living life with arthritis can be stressful for many. Arthritis often comes with symptoms like chronic joint pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and being physically weak. These symptoms of arthritis can make it difficult to perform day-to-day activities like walking, doing household chores, climbing stairs, or even typing on the laptop. Arthritis imposes several limitations both physical and psychological which can further lead to frustration and irritation while one tries to manage work, family, and personal life.

Over time it can significantly impact an individual’s emotional well-being by influencing their mood swings, overall well-being, and the way they interact socially. It becomes crucial to understand and navigate these challenges associated with arthritis to effectively manage this particular condition while improving the quality of life.


The impact of arthritis on work-life


Mobility issues: People suffering from arthritis are bound to experience mobility issues during working hours. The stiffness and swelling in the joints can make it hard to make even small movements especially when you are supposed to walk from one floor to another and stand for a longer duration.


Pain and discomfort: Experiencing chronic joint pain that doesn’t go away even after continuous efforts is a common sign of arthritis. One can easily feel physically exhausted making it difficult to perform daily tasks that demand mobility. Simple actions like sitting during the meeting, typing on the desk, or lifting files for extended periods can become extremely challenging.


Reduced Efficiency: The fatigue associated with arthritis can negatively affect one's productivity levels. One may experience decreased productivity once they are diagnosed with this condition. The workplace tasks that once took a short amount of time may now take extreme effort and time to complete. Routine tasks like typing reports, attending work meetings, or handling physical materials can feel like a daunting task resulting in increased stress levels.

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Frequent sick days: Arthritis flare-ups are often unpredictable which can abruptly disrupt one’s work life and frequently lead to multiple sick days. Suddenly experiencing pain, stiffness, and fatigue can vary from person to person in terms of duration and intensity. Too many sick days or workplace absenteeism can highly affect their job and their relationships with their colleagues resulting in workplace isolation.


Detecting arthritis at its early stage can help improve the treatment outcomes: It further leads to timely intervention while saving lives. Consider getting genetic testing if someone from your family has a history of arthritis. It helps detect arthritis even before the symptoms and signs associated with this condition start to show up.

Several diagnostic tests can hint to diagnose the type of arthritis one is suffering from. This can include tests like blood tests such as complete blood count test (CBC), X-rays, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) test, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Do these tests and follow the treatment guidelines given by the doctor.

(Dr Abhik Banerjee, Zonal Techical Chief East & Pathologist, Apollo Diagnostic, Kolkata)