OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to investigate demographic and disease factors associated with changes in employment role and status in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Questionnaires on current symptoms, employment status and factors associated with changes in employment were sent to a community sample of 566 MS patients. RESULTS: A total of 221 completed questionnaires were analysed. Of 169 employed at diagnosis, 43.3% had left employment at a mean of 11.9 years after disease onset. Of those still employed, 55% had changed their role or working hours to accommodate symptoms relating to their disease. These patients reported greater fatigue (p = 0.001), pain (p = 0.033) and memory problems (p = 0.038) than those whose employment had remained unaffected. Multinomial logistic regression revealed the factors most strongly predictive of employment status were disability level, years of education, disease duration and fatigue (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Despite changes to public perceptions and legislative protection over the last 20 years, high rates of MS patients still leave the workforce prematurely, reduce working hours or change employment roles. These data have significant implications when considering social and economic impacts of MS, support the value of employment metrics as long-term outcome measures, and demonstrate the need to improve employment requirements and flexibility of working practices in individuals with MS.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to investigate demographic and disease factors associated with changes in employment role and status in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Questionnaires on current symptoms, employment status and factors associated with changes in employment were sent to a community sample of 566 MS patients. RESULTS: A total of 221 completed questionnaires were analysed. Of 169 employed at diagnosis, 43.3% had left employment at a mean of 11.9 years after disease onset. Of those still employed, 55% had changed their role or working hours to accommodate symptoms relating to their disease. These patients reported greater fatigue (p = 0.001), pain (p = 0.033) and memory problems (p = 0.038) than those whose employment had remained unaffected. Multinomial logistic regression revealed the factors most strongly predictive of employment status were disability level, years of education, disease duration and fatigue (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Despite changes to public perceptions and legislative protection over the last 20 years, high rates of MS patients still leave the workforce prematurely, reduce working hours or change employment roles. These data have significant implications when considering social and economic impacts of MS, support the value of employment metrics as long-term outcome measures, and demonstrate the need to improve employment requirements and flexibility of working practices in individuals with MS.
Authors: Seth N Levin; Claire S Riley; Amar Dhand; Charles C White; Shruthi Venkatesh; Blake Boehm; Caren Nassif; Lauren Socia; Kaho Onomichi; Victoria M Leavitt; Libby Levine; Rock Heyman; Rebecca S Farber; Wendy S Vargas; Zongqi Xia; Philip L De Jager Journal: Neurology Date: 2020-08-07 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Astrid R Bosma; Chantelle Murley; Jenny Aspling; Jan Hillert; Frederieke G Schaafsma; Johannes R Anema; Cécile R L Boot; Kristina Alexanderson; Alejandra Machado; Emilie Friberg Journal: Mult Scler Date: 2021-10-06 Impact factor: 5.855
Authors: Hanne Marie Bøe Lunde; Wenche Telstad; Nina Grytten; Lars Kyte; Jan Aarseth; Kjell-Morten Myhr; Lars Bø Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-07-23 Impact factor: 3.240