Washington, May 1 (ANI): A new study has shown that women suffering from arthritis are more likely to stop working than men with the same disability.

While men keep working, they are likely to report negative experiences.

The research team led by Simone A. Kaptein of the Toronto Western Research Institute analysed the responses for almost 9,000 individuals between the ages of 25 and 64.

They were asked about the intensity and frequency of activity limitations for activities likely to be encountered in the work place.

The results showed that 2.3 percent of the working-age population had arthritis disability, the second-most frequent cause of disability after back and spine conditions.

More than half of those with arthritis disability reported being out of the labour force, almost 41 percent were unemployed, and 5 percent were unemployed and looking for work.

A higher proportion of women were out of the labour force than men. The study showed that single or previously married women were more likely to be out of the labour force.

"Additional research needs to examine in more detail the specific reasons that men and women give up employment and their relationship to family composition and marital status," the authors state.

The study was published in the May issue of Arthritis Care and Research. (ANI)