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

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.