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Marques ML, Alunno A, Boonen A, Ter Wee MM, Falzon L, Ramiro S, Putrik P. Methodological aspects of design, analysis and reporting of studies with work participation as an outcome domain in patients with inflammatory arthritis: results of two systematic literature reviews informing EULAR points to consider. RMD Open 2021; 7:rmdopen-2020-001522. [PMID: 33542048 PMCID: PMC7868290 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To summarise the methodological aspects in studies with work participation (WP) as outcome domain in inflammatory arthritis (IA) and other chronic diseases. Methods Two systematic literature reviews (SLRs) were conducted in key electronic databases (2014–2019): search 1 focused on longitudinal prospective studies in IA and search 2 on SLRs in other chronic diseases. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies and extracted data covering pre-defined methodological areas. Results In total, 58 studies in IA (22 randomised controlled trials, 36 longitudinal observational studies) and 24 SLRs in other chronic diseases were included. WP was the primary outcome in 26/58 (45%) studies. The methodological aspects least accounted for in IA studies were as follows (proportions of studies positively adhering to the topic are shown): aligning the studied population (16/58 (28%)) and sample size calculation (8/58 (14%)) with the work-related study objective; attribution of WP to overall health (28/58 (48%)); accounting for skewness of presenteeism/sick leave (10/52 (19%)); accounting for work-related contextual factors (25/58 (43%)); reporting attrition and its reasons (1/58 (2%)); reporting both aggregated results and proportions of individuals reaching predefined meaningful change or state (11/58 (16%)). SLRs in other chronic diseases confirmed heterogeneity and methodological flaws identified in IA studies without identifying new issues. Conclusion High methodological heterogeneity was observed in studies with WP as outcome domain. Consensus around various methodological aspects specific to WP studies is needed to improve quality of future studies. This review informs the EULAR Points to Consider for conducting and reporting studies with WP as an outcome in IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Lucy Marques
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands .,Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alessia Alunno
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Perugia Department of Medicine, Perugia, Umbria, Italy
| | - Annelies Boonen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands.,Department of Health Services Research, Universiteit Maastricht Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke M Ter Wee
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and immunology, AI&I, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Louise Falzon
- Center for Personalized Health, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sofia Ramiro
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands.,Rheumatology, Zuyderland Medical Centre Heerlen, Heerlen, Limburg, The Netherlands
| | - Polina Putrik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands.,Department of Health Services Research, Universiteit Maastricht Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands
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