Influenza and Workplace Productivity Loss in the Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area Public

Abstract

Background: Acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) cost the U.S. tens of billions of dollars annually in direct medical care. Indirect ARI-associated costs are predicted to account for similar economic burden, but have not been widely examined. Influenza plays a significant role in workplace productivity loss due to widespread occurrence, severe symptom profile, and variable seasonal vaccine coverage. However, no studies to date have compared laboratory confirmed influenza cases to other ARIs in terms of short-term impact on workplace absenteeism (time away from work), presenteeism (impairment while at work), or total combined productivity loss.

Methods: An analysis was conducted using data from employed participants in the 2012-13 Rapid Analysis of Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) study. Multiple linear regression was used to test the association between influenza status at the time of VE study enrollment and overall workplace productivity loss during the 1-2 week period following ARI symptom onset. Workplace productivity loss (0-100%) was measured per a modified Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire.

Results: Unadjusted total productivity loss was 70.5% for participants with influenza and 60.8% for participants with other ARIs. After adjusting for sex, week of symptom onset, and smoking, influenza was significantly associated with an 8.1% increase in workplace productivity loss. Sub-analyses on absenteeism and presenteeism outcomes indicated that missed workdays were the principal driver of workplace productivity loss in the influenza-positive group.

Discussion: Influenza was associated with workplace productivity loss above that observed by non-influenza ARIs. This additional productivity loss in the influenza group was primarily attributable to hours absent from work. More research is needed to better understand the full economic implications and how much variability there is between flu seasons.

Table of Contents

Background ..............................Page 8

Methods .................................Page 10 Results ..................................Page 15 Discussion ..............................Page 19 Table 1 ..................................Page 23 Table 2 ..................................Page 25 Table 3 ..................................Page 26 Table 4 ..................................Page 27 Table 5 ..................................Page 28 Table 6 ..................................Page 29 References .............................Page 30 Appendix A .............................Page 31 Appendix B .............................Page 32

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Epidemiology
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Epidemiology
Mot-clé	Workplace Productivity Loss ARI Presenteeism Influenza Absenteeism Acute respiratory illness
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Austin, Harland, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Hospital or other health care provider

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