Contributions
Abstract: 62
Type: Oral
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Economic burden
Background: The prevalence of cognitive impairment is between 40 and 70% in multiple sclerosis (MS). Various aspects of cognitive function can be detrimentally affected, e.g., memory and attention, thus patients´ employment and social functioning is significantly impacted, independently of physical disability.
Objectives. To analyse sources and levels of income among MS patients in relation to cognitive impairment, assessed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted linking data from the Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Register and Statistics Sweden. A total of 2080 MS patients aged 21−64 years, living in Sweden in 2010 and having SDMT performed recently were identified for this study. Descriptive statistics, logistic and truncated linear regression models were used to estimate differences in annual income of earnings and social benefits between MS patients. Means, medians, and regression coefficients were reported in Swedish Krona (EUR 1 = SEK 9.5 in 2010). Multivariable regression models were adjusted for age, disease duration, sex, geographical region, family composition, type of living area, country of birth, and education.
Results: MS patients were divided into SDMT performance quartiles. MS patients in the highest quartile (SDMT 62−110) earned more than twice annually compared to the patients in the lowest quartile (SDMT 6−44), SEK 228,200 and SEK 104,600, respectively; whereas patients in the lowest quartile got three times more income through the social benefits than the patients in the highest quartile, SEK 89,800 and SEK 28,700, respectively.
The difference in earnings and benefits across the SDMT performance quartiles remained statistically significant when analysed with multivariable regression, e.g., MS patients in the highest quartile earned SEK 88,895 (95% CI 67,682−1,101,089) more compared to those in the lowest quartile.
The estimated odds ratios for MS patients in the highest quartile for having income from earnings and benefits were 4.66 (95% CI 3.19−6.82) and 0.30 (95% CI 0.22−0.41), respectively, when compared to the patients in the lowest quartile.
Conclusion: Cognitive function affects the financial situation of MS patients considerably. Correlations between higher cognitive impairment and patient income were observed (negative for the earnings and positive for the benefits).
Disclosure:
Study supported by Biogen.
AK and AM declare that there is no conflict of interest. VDK has received financial support from Stockholm County Council and Biogen´s Multiple Sclerosis Registries Research Fellowship Program. HG was funded from an unrestricted research grant from Biogen. AG has received unrestricted research support from Biogen. KA has received unrestricted research grants from Biogen and from the Swedish Research Council for Working Life, Health and Welfare. JH received honoraria for serving on advisory boards for Biogen and Novartis and speaker´s fees from Biogen, MerckSerono, BayerSchering, Teva and SanofiGenzyme. He has served as P.I. for projects sponsored by, or received unrestricted research support from, Biogen, SanofiGenzyme, MerckSerono, TEVA, Novartis and BayerSchering. His MS research is funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Brain Foundation.
Abstract: 62
Type: Oral
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Economic burden
Background: The prevalence of cognitive impairment is between 40 and 70% in multiple sclerosis (MS). Various aspects of cognitive function can be detrimentally affected, e.g., memory and attention, thus patients´ employment and social functioning is significantly impacted, independently of physical disability.
Objectives. To analyse sources and levels of income among MS patients in relation to cognitive impairment, assessed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted linking data from the Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Register and Statistics Sweden. A total of 2080 MS patients aged 21−64 years, living in Sweden in 2010 and having SDMT performed recently were identified for this study. Descriptive statistics, logistic and truncated linear regression models were used to estimate differences in annual income of earnings and social benefits between MS patients. Means, medians, and regression coefficients were reported in Swedish Krona (EUR 1 = SEK 9.5 in 2010). Multivariable regression models were adjusted for age, disease duration, sex, geographical region, family composition, type of living area, country of birth, and education.
Results: MS patients were divided into SDMT performance quartiles. MS patients in the highest quartile (SDMT 62−110) earned more than twice annually compared to the patients in the lowest quartile (SDMT 6−44), SEK 228,200 and SEK 104,600, respectively; whereas patients in the lowest quartile got three times more income through the social benefits than the patients in the highest quartile, SEK 89,800 and SEK 28,700, respectively.
The difference in earnings and benefits across the SDMT performance quartiles remained statistically significant when analysed with multivariable regression, e.g., MS patients in the highest quartile earned SEK 88,895 (95% CI 67,682−1,101,089) more compared to those in the lowest quartile.
The estimated odds ratios for MS patients in the highest quartile for having income from earnings and benefits were 4.66 (95% CI 3.19−6.82) and 0.30 (95% CI 0.22−0.41), respectively, when compared to the patients in the lowest quartile.
Conclusion: Cognitive function affects the financial situation of MS patients considerably. Correlations between higher cognitive impairment and patient income were observed (negative for the earnings and positive for the benefits).
Disclosure:
Study supported by Biogen.
AK and AM declare that there is no conflict of interest. VDK has received financial support from Stockholm County Council and Biogen´s Multiple Sclerosis Registries Research Fellowship Program. HG was funded from an unrestricted research grant from Biogen. AG has received unrestricted research support from Biogen. KA has received unrestricted research grants from Biogen and from the Swedish Research Council for Working Life, Health and Welfare. JH received honoraria for serving on advisory boards for Biogen and Novartis and speaker´s fees from Biogen, MerckSerono, BayerSchering, Teva and SanofiGenzyme. He has served as P.I. for projects sponsored by, or received unrestricted research support from, Biogen, SanofiGenzyme, MerckSerono, TEVA, Novartis and BayerSchering. His MS research is funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Brain Foundation.