Evaluating the socioeconomic burden of pulmonary arterial hypertension on employment and workplace productivity: A Canadian, cross-sectional study

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious condition that commonly affects working-age individuals. This study evaluates the socioeconomic burden of PAH with an emphasis on workplace- and activity-related limitations. <bold>Methods:</bold> We performed a cross-sectional study of symptomatic patients ≥18 years with self-reported Group 1 PAH using surveys distributed between 15-08-2023 and 09-10-2023. Workplace- and activity-related limitations were assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire. Predictors of non-employment were assessed using logistic regression. <bold>Results:</bold> 217 patients were included. Most patients were female (84%) and White (84%) with a median age of 60 years (IQR 46, 68). The majority of patients were self-reported functional class (FC) II (109 patients, 50.2%) or III (73 patients, 33.6%). Of 151 (69.6%) non-employed patients, 76 (50.3%) were retired and 43 (28.5%) reported disability. Of 61 (21.8%) working patients, PAH-related impairment was 42% (SD 29.0%), overall work impairment was 46% (SD 31.6%), and activity impairment was 54% (SD 29.2%). Predictors of employment included younger age, better FC, and being in a living-together relationship (Figure 1). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Patients with PAH were frequently not employed. Among employed patients, diminished workplace productivity and activity were commonly reported. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA2498/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>