Unemployment, absenteeism and quality of working life in patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review
1
School of Medicine, Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), Crato, Brazil
2
School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA), Barbalha, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3767
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic central sensitization syndrome that significantly impacts quality of life, sleep, and daily functioning1,2. However, evidence regarding the repercussions of FM on work capacity remains limited.
METHODS:
A systematic review was conducted to examine the relationship between unemployment, absenteeism, and quality of work life among patients with FM, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed across seven databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library (BVS), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO. Data collection covered the period from September 1979 to January 2025. The descriptors used were the MeSH terms “Fibromyalgia”, “Work”, “Job Market”, “Work Hours”, “Personnel Staffing and Scheduling”, “Working Conditions”, “Occupational Stress”, “Work Performance”, “Work Capacity Evaluation”, and “Work Engagement”. Letters to the editor, commentaries, reviews, theses, and dissertations were excluded. This review was registered in the PROSPERO database under the number CRD420251231835.
RESULTS:
Of the 10699 articles initially identified, 75 met the eligibility criteria. A total of 136584 patients with FM were included, with a mean age of 47.9 years; 87.8% were female. Unemployment rates among patients with FM ranged from 30% to 64%. Absenteeism was reported in 31% to 54% of the sample, with the main causes being (i) pain; (ii) mood-related symptoms such as depression and anxiety; and (iii) fatigue. The mean number of workdays lost per year was 44 ± 69.6 days. Nearly half of the sample (40.9%) rated their working conditions as poor or unhealthy, with discrimination, feelings of guilt, and fear of dismissal being the most frequently reported experiences.
CONCLUSIONS:
Rethinking work environments to better accommodate patients with FM, as well as individuals with other chronic conditions, should be a shared goal among governments, civil society, and the scientific community.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic central sensitization syndrome that significantly impacts quality of life, sleep, and daily functioning1,2. However, evidence regarding the repercussions of FM on work capacity remains limited.
METHODS:
A systematic review was conducted to examine the relationship between unemployment, absenteeism, and quality of work life among patients with FM, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed across seven databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library (BVS), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO. Data collection covered the period from September 1979 to January 2025. The descriptors used were the MeSH terms “Fibromyalgia”, “Work”, “Job Market”, “Work Hours”, “Personnel Staffing and Scheduling”, “Working Conditions”, “Occupational Stress”, “Work Performance”, “Work Capacity Evaluation”, and “Work Engagement”. Letters to the editor, commentaries, reviews, theses, and dissertations were excluded. This review was registered in the PROSPERO database under the number CRD420251231835.
RESULTS:
Of the 10699 articles initially identified, 75 met the eligibility criteria. A total of 136584 patients with FM were included, with a mean age of 47.9 years; 87.8% were female. Unemployment rates among patients with FM ranged from 30% to 64%. Absenteeism was reported in 31% to 54% of the sample, with the main causes being (i) pain; (ii) mood-related symptoms such as depression and anxiety; and (iii) fatigue. The mean number of workdays lost per year was 44 ± 69.6 days. Nearly half of the sample (40.9%) rated their working conditions as poor or unhealthy, with discrimination, feelings of guilt, and fear of dismissal being the most frequently reported experiences.
CONCLUSIONS:
Rethinking work environments to better accommodate patients with FM, as well as individuals with other chronic conditions, should be a shared goal among governments, civil society, and the scientific community.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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