Thyroid diseases are characterized by a wide range of physical and mental symptoms that can affect biological function, emotional and social life of patients. However, their impact on work functioning is not yet fully understood. Therefore, this review aims to address the way in which thyroid diseases can affect occupational outcomes, i.e., the employment rate, sick leave, working capacity and work income of patients. A systematic review of Pubmed, Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge databases has been performed. Although it is not possible to extrapolate precise data for benign pathologies, about a third of the survivors of thyroid cancer could be unemployed. Hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients presented a greater risk of long-term sick leave than controls, depending on the severity of the disease. Hyperthyroidism impaired working ability in about a third of affected patients, particularly in cases complicated by orbitopathy with diplopia. A possible influence of thyroid diseases on various occupational outcomes emerged from our review, however further research seems necessary to understand the relationship between work problems, specific pathological characteristics over time and risk factors in the workplace. This may support a comprehensive, interdisciplinary management of thyroid disorders, with benefits for patients’ personal, social and professional life.

The impact of thyroid diseases on the working life of patients: A systematic review / Leso, V.; Vetrani, I.; De Cicco, L.; Cardelia, A.; Fontana, L.; Buonocore, G.; Iavicoli, I.. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. - ISSN 1660-4601. - 17:12(2020), pp. 1-24. [10.3390/ijerph17124295]

The impact of thyroid diseases on the working life of patients: A systematic review

Leso V.;Vetrani I.;De Cicco L.;Cardelia A.;Fontana L.;Buonocore G.;Iavicoli I.
2020

Abstract

Thyroid diseases are characterized by a wide range of physical and mental symptoms that can affect biological function, emotional and social life of patients. However, their impact on work functioning is not yet fully understood. Therefore, this review aims to address the way in which thyroid diseases can affect occupational outcomes, i.e., the employment rate, sick leave, working capacity and work income of patients. A systematic review of Pubmed, Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge databases has been performed. Although it is not possible to extrapolate precise data for benign pathologies, about a third of the survivors of thyroid cancer could be unemployed. Hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients presented a greater risk of long-term sick leave than controls, depending on the severity of the disease. Hyperthyroidism impaired working ability in about a third of affected patients, particularly in cases complicated by orbitopathy with diplopia. A possible influence of thyroid diseases on various occupational outcomes emerged from our review, however further research seems necessary to understand the relationship between work problems, specific pathological characteristics over time and risk factors in the workplace. This may support a comprehensive, interdisciplinary management of thyroid disorders, with benefits for patients’ personal, social and professional life.
2020
The impact of thyroid diseases on the working life of patients: A systematic review / Leso, V.; Vetrani, I.; De Cicco, L.; Cardelia, A.; Fontana, L.; Buonocore, G.; Iavicoli, I.. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. - ISSN 1660-4601. - 17:12(2020), pp. 1-24. [10.3390/ijerph17124295]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
ijerph-17-04295 (1).pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Documento in Post-print
Licenza: Dominio pubblico
Dimensione 577.63 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
577.63 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11588/811678
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 18
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 17
social impact