Determination of employment status and health-related quality of life in adults with immunodeficiencies

Individuals with primary immunodeficiency have reached adulthood more frequently in recent years as a result of the development of diagnosis and treatment methods. Individuals with acquired immunodeficiency are significantly in the productive age group. It has been observed that the health-related quality of life and participation in the working life of adults with immunodeficiency may be adversely affected. We aimed to determine the employment status and health-related quality of life, to investigate the relation between these among adults with primary and acquired immunodeficiency. A total of 177 individuals, 75 with primary and 102 with acquired immunodeficiency, who applied to the outpatient clinics of Hacettepe University Medical Faculty Hospitals were included in the study. Health-related quality of life was evaluated with the SF-12v2 form, and executive functions were evaluated with the Trail Making Test. It is determined that individuals with primary immunodeficiency participate less in working life compared to individuals with acquired immunodeficiency (p=0.005). In the primary immunodeficiency group the physical composite score (p<0.001), physical function (p<0.001), physical role limitation (p=0.021), general health (p<0.001), and vitality (p=0.006) sub-headings of health-related quality of life were found to be significantly lower compared to individuals with acquired immunodeficiency. It was observed that the Trail Making Test A, B, B-A, and A+B scores, in which executive functions were evaluated, were significantly longer in unemployed individuals than in employed individuals (p<0.001, p=0.001, p=0.006, p=0.001, respectively). Factors affecting employment were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression analysis. Female gender (OR=0.138, p=0.007, %95 CI: 0.033-0.578) in the primary immunodeficiency group, older age (OR=0.946, p=0.023 %95 CI: 0.902-0.993) in the acquired immunodeficiency group were determined as risk factors that negatively affect employment. In conclusion, participation in working life and health-related quality of life of adult immunocompromised individuals were found to be low. Some risk factors for employment were identified. Comprehensive studies and developing policies in light of these studies are needed on this subject.