P156 Myositis flares are associated with reduced work productivity and fewer hours worked: illustration of the future potential of digital healthcare solutions in rheumatic diseases

Background/AimsThe digital healthcare revolution provides the opportunity for cliniciansand researchers to collect useful data on a frequent and remote basis.Work ability is impacted by many rheumatic diseases, including theidiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), however, methods to assess the real-time impacts are limited. This study aims to explore theimpact of IIM flares and symptoms upon employment using frequentlycollected data via a smartphone-based app.MethodsThe Myositis Physical Activity Device Study recruited a UK-basedadult IIM cohort who completed weekly employment and flarequestions via a specially designed smartphone-based app throughouta 91 day period in 2019/20. Employment-related questions wereassessed every week (see Table 1 for details). Flares were reportedvia a weekly question. Employment variables were compared betweenflare and non-flare weeks using descriptive statistics. The relationshipbetween flares and work productivity was assessed using multi-levelmixed effects logistic regression modelling, adjusted for age and sex.ResultsData on 13 (69% female) employed participants was analysed. Amedian of 5 flares were reported per patient during the three monthperiod (IQR 3, 9). Summary employment results are displayed in Table1. Participants reported greater impact of IIM upon employment, lowerproductivity and fewer hours worked during a flare week, compared toa non-flare week. There was a significant association between flaresand detrimental impact upon work productivity (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 1.12, p < 0.01). Flares were alsosignificantly associated with an increased number of work hoursmissed due to IIM (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01, 1.08, p = 0.02)ConclusionOur study has demonstrated that IIM flares are significantly associatedwith detrimental impact upon employment ability. On average, patientslost 15 hours of work a week during a flare compared to less than2 hours outside a flare. The economic and personal impact of flareshighlights the need for research in this area, with the aim of allowingearly identification and instigation of treatment and possible need forsupported work. Smartphone based remote monitoring of flares andother pertinent variables could enhance digital consultations, whichmay become more common in the post COVID-19 setting.