The Impact of Thyroid Diseases on Patients' Work Functioning: A Pilot Study.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of thyroid diseases (TDs) on patients' work ability (WA) and related influencing factors. A total of 150 TD workers and matched healthy controls were enrolled from May 2020 to November 2021. The Work Ability Index was used to assess the workers' perception of WA. Overall, TD workers reported a good WA, although with a significantly lower mean score compared with controls (39 ± 6 vs 43 ± 4, P < 0.001). Subjects with Graves disease and follicular carcinoma showed the worst WA perception. Suffering from a TD ( β = -0.396, P < 0.001) and job duration ( β = -0.173, P < 0.001) were associated with poorer WA. Better understanding the impact that TD may have on work functioning can inform an interdisciplinary management of TD workers to support their personal, social, and professional lives.