What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (n=217). Primary outcome: Employment status, work limitations, changes in work patterns, quality of life, and perceived caregiver burden.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to evaluate the socioeconomic burden of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) on patients and their caregivers in Canada.

April 17, 2026Open Access

Socioeconomic Burden of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients and Caregivers: A Canadian Cross-sectional Study

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is associated with a low employment rate of 28% among Canadian adults, with working patients reporting 50% impairment and caregivers losing 4 work hours weekly. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Key Result

Pulmonary arterial hypertension was associated with a low employment rate of 28% among Canadian adults, with working patients reporting 50% impairment and caregivers losing 4 work hours weekly.

Key Points

The study aims to evaluate the socioeconomic burden of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) on patients and their caregivers in Canada.
Conducted a cross-sectional survey of adult Canadian patients over a period of two months.
Assessed employment status, work limitations, quality of life, and caregiver burden using various questionnaires.
Used multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of employment among participants.
Only 28% of participants were employed, with high levels of presenteeism reported.
Older age, worse functional class, and increased time since PAH diagnosis correlated with lower employment rates.
Caregivers reported providing a median of 15 hours of support per week, with an estimated loss of 4 work hours per week due to caregiving.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=217)

Structured PICO

Population

217 adult Canadian patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

Outcome

Employment status, work limitations, changes in work patterns, quality of life, and perceived caregiver burden assessed using Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale, and additional survey itemspatient reported

Pulmonary arterial hypertension imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden, characterized by low employment rates, high presenteeism, and significant caregiver work loss.

Abstract

AbstractBackground Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious condition that can impair daily functioning, employment, and quality of life for working-age individuals. We evaluated the real-world socioeconomic burden of PAH on patients and their caregivers. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adult Canadian patients between 15-Aug-2023 and 09-Oct-2023. Using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale, and additional survey items, we assessed employment status, work limitations, changes in work patterns, quality of life, and perceived caregiver burden. Predictors of employment were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Results Among 217 participants, 61 (28%) were employed. Working participants reported high presenteeism, i.e. impairment while working due to PAH (50%, IQR 10, 70). Older age (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.54-0.72, pConclusions PAH imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden on patients and caregivers. Patients with PAH experience low rates of employment, high presenteeism, and significant caregiver work loss, highlighting an underrecognized aspect of PAH care.

Bookmark

View Full Paper