Rheumatoid arthritis: returning patients to work.

Fifty-two patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis were followed-up for one year after being referred to the Disablement Resettlement Officer for work counselling. The proportion of patients employed following work counselling initially increased from 35% to 67%, falling to 57% after one year. In addition, 44% of patients "off sick" were re-established at work by job modification. Comparison of patients employed or unemployed one year later indicated that successful employment was related more to social and environmental factors than disability ro financial considerations.