Contributions
Abstract: P845
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: Working life is consistently reported to be negatively affected in people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), resulting in early retirement and decreased quality of life. There is a growing number of reports concerning predictors for employment status, but long-term studies are rare. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of employment status after 10 years in a cohort of people with MS (PwMS).
Method: A total of 116 PwMS in working age were included in the study. Data on contextual factors and factors related to functioning were collected at baseline and were used as independent variables; in total 14. In the data collection both patient reported and performance based outcome measures were used. Employment status, collected 10 years after baseline, was used as a dependent variable and was categorized in full-time, part-time and no work. A generalized ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze the predictive value of the independent variables. Separate models were generated for predictors for full- and part-time work (FPW) versus no work (NW), and predictors for full-time work (FW) versus part-time work and no work (PNW), using multivariate modeling with backward elimination of independent variables with p-value >0.20.
Results: Two thirds of the cohort were women. At baseline mean age was 41 years, 70% had mild MS-disability and mean time since diagnosis was 12 years. In the cohort 42% were working full-time at baseline and 28% part-time. Ten years after baseline 49% had mild MS-disability, 28% were working full-time and 23% part-time. In the final multivariate model, the significant predictors for FPW versus NW after 10 years were age (p=0.002), perceived physical impact of MS (p=0.02), full-time work (p=0.001), frequency of social/lifestyle activities (p=0.001) and energy level (p=0.03) at baseline. Perceived physical impact of MS (p=0.02) at baseline was the only significant predictor for FW versus PNW.
Conclusion: In this cohort of PwMS age, perceived physical impact of MS, full-time work, frequency of social/lifestyle activities and energy level significantly predicted employment status after 10 years. The predictive value of frequency of social/lifestyle activities for long-term employment in MS has not previously been reported and highlights the importance of taking PwMS whole living situation into consideration when studying working life.
Disclosure:
Mia Forslin: has no conflict of interest and was supported by funds at Doctoral School in Health Care Sciences
Lena von Koch: has no conflict of interest and was supported by funds at Karolinska Institutet
Katharina Fink: has received an unrestriced academic research grant from Biogen and compensations for lectures from Biogen, Teva and Novartis which have been exclusively used to supprt research activities
Sverker Johansson: has no conflict of interest
Abstract: P845
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: Working life is consistently reported to be negatively affected in people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), resulting in early retirement and decreased quality of life. There is a growing number of reports concerning predictors for employment status, but long-term studies are rare. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of employment status after 10 years in a cohort of people with MS (PwMS).
Method: A total of 116 PwMS in working age were included in the study. Data on contextual factors and factors related to functioning were collected at baseline and were used as independent variables; in total 14. In the data collection both patient reported and performance based outcome measures were used. Employment status, collected 10 years after baseline, was used as a dependent variable and was categorized in full-time, part-time and no work. A generalized ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze the predictive value of the independent variables. Separate models were generated for predictors for full- and part-time work (FPW) versus no work (NW), and predictors for full-time work (FW) versus part-time work and no work (PNW), using multivariate modeling with backward elimination of independent variables with p-value >0.20.
Results: Two thirds of the cohort were women. At baseline mean age was 41 years, 70% had mild MS-disability and mean time since diagnosis was 12 years. In the cohort 42% were working full-time at baseline and 28% part-time. Ten years after baseline 49% had mild MS-disability, 28% were working full-time and 23% part-time. In the final multivariate model, the significant predictors for FPW versus NW after 10 years were age (p=0.002), perceived physical impact of MS (p=0.02), full-time work (p=0.001), frequency of social/lifestyle activities (p=0.001) and energy level (p=0.03) at baseline. Perceived physical impact of MS (p=0.02) at baseline was the only significant predictor for FW versus PNW.
Conclusion: In this cohort of PwMS age, perceived physical impact of MS, full-time work, frequency of social/lifestyle activities and energy level significantly predicted employment status after 10 years. The predictive value of frequency of social/lifestyle activities for long-term employment in MS has not previously been reported and highlights the importance of taking PwMS whole living situation into consideration when studying working life.
Disclosure:
Mia Forslin: has no conflict of interest and was supported by funds at Doctoral School in Health Care Sciences
Lena von Koch: has no conflict of interest and was supported by funds at Karolinska Institutet
Katharina Fink: has received an unrestriced academic research grant from Biogen and compensations for lectures from Biogen, Teva and Novartis which have been exclusively used to supprt research activities
Sverker Johansson: has no conflict of interest