Contributions
Abstract: P1109
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: Since the majority of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is affected by the disease at younger ages the ability to work and to hereby remain independent are crucial prerequisites for quality of life (QoL). There is evidence from a former study that at early stages, cognitive functionality plays a major role in the context of working ability.
Objective: To evaluate on a large sample of consecutively screened relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) patients which factors exert the strongest influence on vocational status. Design/Methods: All data were collected as part of a large multi-centre study across 65 centres in Germany. In each centre patient related data (age, education, vocational status, disease duration, medication, duration of medication) were recorded as well as cognitive functionality assessed by the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery comprising Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Brief Visual Memory Test revised (BVMT-R) and Verbal learning and Memory Test (VLMT, as German equivalent of the CVLT-II).
Results: 826 RRMS patients, 632 female, mean age 41,53 (SD=10,55), 750 under medication were included. To evaluate which factors best predict patients ́ working ability, a logistic regression analysis was conducted and revealed significant effects for SDMT, age, education, and disease duration (DD) while VLMT, BVMT-R, duration of medication and medication in general were not influencing factors.
Conclusions:
These results clearly demonstrate that besides age, education and DD the ability to process information quickly and to keep information for a short period of time in working memory is highly relevant for patient"s ability to work. Thus, regular screening by the SDMT is recommended not only for detecting decline as early as possible but also for offering therapeutic strategies targeting on this highly relevant cognitive domain.
Disclosure: Filser, M.: nothing to disclose
Ullrich, S.: nothing to disclose
Lassek, C.: has received support for neurological trainings and research projects from BIOGEN GmbH, Genzyme, Novartis Pharma GmbH and TEVA.
Penner, I.K.: has received honoraria for speaking at scientific meetings, serving at scientific advisory boards and consulting activities from Adamas Pharma, Bayer Pharma, Biogen GmbH, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis Pharma GmbH, and Teva.
Supported by a research grant of Novartis Pharma GmbH.
Abstract: P1109
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: Since the majority of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is affected by the disease at younger ages the ability to work and to hereby remain independent are crucial prerequisites for quality of life (QoL). There is evidence from a former study that at early stages, cognitive functionality plays a major role in the context of working ability.
Objective: To evaluate on a large sample of consecutively screened relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) patients which factors exert the strongest influence on vocational status. Design/Methods: All data were collected as part of a large multi-centre study across 65 centres in Germany. In each centre patient related data (age, education, vocational status, disease duration, medication, duration of medication) were recorded as well as cognitive functionality assessed by the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery comprising Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Brief Visual Memory Test revised (BVMT-R) and Verbal learning and Memory Test (VLMT, as German equivalent of the CVLT-II).
Results: 826 RRMS patients, 632 female, mean age 41,53 (SD=10,55), 750 under medication were included. To evaluate which factors best predict patients ́ working ability, a logistic regression analysis was conducted and revealed significant effects for SDMT, age, education, and disease duration (DD) while VLMT, BVMT-R, duration of medication and medication in general were not influencing factors.
Conclusions:
These results clearly demonstrate that besides age, education and DD the ability to process information quickly and to keep information for a short period of time in working memory is highly relevant for patient"s ability to work. Thus, regular screening by the SDMT is recommended not only for detecting decline as early as possible but also for offering therapeutic strategies targeting on this highly relevant cognitive domain.
Disclosure: Filser, M.: nothing to disclose
Ullrich, S.: nothing to disclose
Lassek, C.: has received support for neurological trainings and research projects from BIOGEN GmbH, Genzyme, Novartis Pharma GmbH and TEVA.
Penner, I.K.: has received honoraria for speaking at scientific meetings, serving at scientific advisory boards and consulting activities from Adamas Pharma, Bayer Pharma, Biogen GmbH, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis Pharma GmbH, and Teva.
Supported by a research grant of Novartis Pharma GmbH.