New study launched to find impact of vasculitis on employment, income

The Vasculitis Patient-Powered Research Network and the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium launched a study entitled "Impact of vasculitis on employment and income" or "VascWork." The purpose of this study is to learn about the impact of vasculitis on employment and income in patients with different systemic vasculitides. The study aims to increase knowledge about vasculitis and its impact on work capacities, work productivity, and income in affected patients. The identification of vasculitis as a risk factor for work disability, loss of work productivity, and income may help support awareness of the disease and research, as well as programs aimed at improving patient quality of life.

Despite the progress that has been made in disease understanding and improving the quality of life for patients, there is still an urgent need to better understand the unique challenges of patients with vasculitis, including social and economic struggles. This study is open to patients at least 18 years-old with a diagnosis of vasculitis for at least one year or more, and living in the USA or Canada.

Work disability associated with rheumatic diseases accounts for an important part of the costs of these conditions, in addition to direct treatment costs, especially with biological agents. Interest has been growing in studying work disability associated with rheumatoid arthritis, but only a few studies have investigated vasculitis; most were conducted before 2005 and almost exclusively investigated granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; Wegener's). The study and identification of risk factors of work disability in vasculitis may help define programs aimed at improving patient quality of life and outcomes.

The study is currently enrolling all patients with Behçet's disease, central nervous system vasculitis, cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss) (CSS), giant cell (temporal) arteritis (GCA), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA), Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), Takayasu arteritis (TAK), and urticarial vasculitis. Age >18 years old, living in the USA or Canada, and a vasculitis diagnosis made ≥1 year ago.