Andrius Kavaliunas1, Virginija Danylaite Karrenbauer2, Hanna Gyllensten3, Ali Manouchehrinia1, Anna Glaser1, Tomas Olsson4, Kristina Alexanderson1, Jan Hillert5. 1. Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 2. Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden/Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. 3. Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden/Centre for Person-centred Care (GPCC), Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. 4. Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden/Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. 5. Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden/Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden/Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In multiple sclerosis (MS), various aspects of cognitive function can be detrimentally affected, thus patients' employment and social functioning is commonly impacted. OBJECTIVE: To analyse income among MS patients in relation to cognitive function, assessed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 2080 MS patients was conducted linking national register-based data. Descriptive statistics and a two-part model were used to estimate differences in earnings and social benefits. RESULTS: MS patients in the highest SDMT score quartile earned more than twice annually compared to patients in the lowest quartile, whereas patients in the lowest quartile received three times more income through social benefits. The difference in earnings and benefits across the SDMT performance quartiles remained statistically significant after adjusting for various clinical and socio-demographic variables, including physical disability. The corrected prevalence ratios for MS patients in the highest quartile for having income from earnings and benefits were 1.40 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29-1.49) and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71-0.90), respectively, when compared to the patients in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSION: Cognitive function affects the financial situation of MS patients negatively and independently of physical disability. This warrants cognitive testing as a routine measure in health care services for MS patients.
BACKGROUND: In multiple sclerosis (MS), various aspects of cognitive function can be detrimentally affected, thus patients' employment and social functioning is commonly impacted. OBJECTIVE: To analyse income among MSpatients in relation to cognitive function, assessed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 2080 MSpatients was conducted linking national register-based data. Descriptive statistics and a two-part model were used to estimate differences in earnings and social benefits. RESULTS:MSpatients in the highest SDMT score quartile earned more than twice annually compared to patients in the lowest quartile, whereas patients in the lowest quartile received three times more income through social benefits. The difference in earnings and benefits across the SDMT performance quartiles remained statistically significant after adjusting for various clinical and socio-demographic variables, including physical disability. The corrected prevalence ratios for MSpatients in the highest quartile for having income from earnings and benefits were 1.40 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29-1.49) and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71-0.90), respectively, when compared to the patients in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSION: Cognitive function affects the financial situation of MSpatients negatively and independently of physical disability. This warrants cognitive testing as a routine measure in health care services for MSpatients.
Authors: Dawn W Langdon; Davorka Tomic; Iris-Katharina Penner; Pasquale Calabrese; Gary Cutter; Dieter A Häring; Frank Dahlke; Ludwig Kappos Journal: Eur J Neurol Date: 2021-10-12 Impact factor: 6.288
Authors: Andrius Kavaliunas; Ali Manouchehrinia; Hanna Gyllensten; Kristina Alexanderson; Jan Hillert Journal: Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin Date: 2020-10-07
Authors: Michael Wiberg; Chantelle Murley; Petter Tinghög; Kristina Alexanderson; Edward Palmer; Jan Hillert; Magnus Stenbeck; Emilie Friberg Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-07-11 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Rosalind Kalb; Meghan Beier; Ralph Hb Benedict; Leigh Charvet; Kathleen Costello; Anthony Feinstein; Jeffrey Gingold; Yael Goverover; June Halper; Colleen Harris; Lori Kostich; Lauren Krupp; Ellen Lathi; Nicholas LaRocca; Ben Thrower; John DeLuca Journal: Mult Scler Date: 2018-10-10 Impact factor: 6.312