Income and work loss in patients with Addison's disease: a nationwide population-based study.

Abstract

Objective: Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) is associated with reduced health-related quality of life and possibly reduced employability. The aim of this study was to assess differences in income and work loss between patients with AAD and matched comparators.

Design: Nationwide, cross-sectional register-based study.

Methods: By linking the Swedish Addison Register and national health registers, we identified working age (18-64 years) individuals with AAD and general population comparators (matched 1:5 by sex, age, and county of residence). We assessed differences in taxable earnings and disposable income through quantile regression and differences in work loss through linear regression during 2019.

Results: We identified 1140 cases with AAD and 5700 comparators (mean age 46.1 years, 48.4% men). Type 1 diabetes was prevalent in 15.7% and 1.1%, respectively. Work loss was higher in AAD; adjusted mean difference 14.4 days; 95% CI, 8.6-20. The adjusted median differences in taxable earnings and disposable income were non-significant overall at -617 (95% CI; -2317 to 1083) and -405 (95% CI; -1417 to 607) €. However, significantly lower taxable earnings and disposable income were found among patients with short education: -5303 (95% CI; -9603 to -992) and -3754 (95% CI; -6486 to -1022) €, or concomitant type 1 diabetes: -5808 (95% CI; -9937 to -1690) and -3349 (95% CI; -6203 to -506) €.

Conclusion: Patients with AAD had more work loss, yet overall similar taxable earnings and disposable incomes versus comparators. Patients with AAD with shorter education or type 1 diabetes were most socioeconomically vulnerable.