Contributions
Abstract: EP1383
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - MS symptoms
Background: A high proportion of MS patients display cognitive impairment impacting on their socioeconomic well-being. However, the direct relationship between cognitive status and quality of life and overall work productivity in MS still remains unclear. The objective of our study was to test for an association between cognitive function and employment status, work productivity and quality of life.
Methods: 52 MS participants (42 RRMS, 10 SPMS) and 49 age, sex and education matched, healthy controls (HC) were included. Cognitive status was evaluated using BICAMS battery and Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen (ARCS). Quality of life was assessed by applying the MSQOL-54 questionnaire and employment status and self-rated assessment of work productivity was determined using the WPAI general health questionnaire. Independent samples T tests were used to compare cognitive status, QOL physical and mental parameters, and for individuals currently employed, WPAI indices of work activity, absenteeism and presenteeism between MS and HC groups. The chi-square test was applied to determine differences in employment status between groups. Correlations between cognitive and employment status, work productivity and QOL test scores were then explored using Pearson's r tests.
Results: MS patients were 82% female, aged 49+2 years, with 53% reaching at least senior high school. MS patients had a mean EDSS 2.7+0.3 and disease duration of 11.3+1.3 years. Compared to the HC group, the MS cohort had significantly lower total ARCS, memory, fluency and attention scores and reduced performance on all BICAMS battery assessments (p< 0.01). Quality of life physical and mental status were lower in the MS group (p< 0.0001) by 24.5% and 20.2% respectively. The proportion of individuals employed in the MS group (57.1%) was lower than in HCs (79.6%) (p=0.03). Of those employed, work activity impairment, presenteeism and overall work impairment was increased by 2.4, 7.4 and 6.7 fold respectively, in the MS group (p< 0.05). While age was a predictor for employment status for both HC and MS, SDMT was the only predictor for employment status in the MS cohort, once all other factors were accounted for.
Conclusions: Despite an overall low EDSS, MS patients display a lower cognitive performance and quality of life than matched controls. Employment status seems to be linked to cognitive performance. Monitoring SDMT in MS patients is essential, as it predicts the ability to remain in the work force.
Disclosure: Karen Ribbons: nothing to disclose
Gayle Lea: nothing to disclose
Rodney Lea: nothing to disclose
Jeannette Lechner-Scott: has accepted travel compensation from Novartis, Biogen and Merck Serono. Her institution receives the honoraria for talks and advisory board commitment and also clinic support from Bayer Health Care, Biogen Idec, CSL, Genzyme Sanofi, Merck Serono, Novartis and Teva.
Abstract: EP1383
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - MS symptoms
Background: A high proportion of MS patients display cognitive impairment impacting on their socioeconomic well-being. However, the direct relationship between cognitive status and quality of life and overall work productivity in MS still remains unclear. The objective of our study was to test for an association between cognitive function and employment status, work productivity and quality of life.
Methods: 52 MS participants (42 RRMS, 10 SPMS) and 49 age, sex and education matched, healthy controls (HC) were included. Cognitive status was evaluated using BICAMS battery and Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen (ARCS). Quality of life was assessed by applying the MSQOL-54 questionnaire and employment status and self-rated assessment of work productivity was determined using the WPAI general health questionnaire. Independent samples T tests were used to compare cognitive status, QOL physical and mental parameters, and for individuals currently employed, WPAI indices of work activity, absenteeism and presenteeism between MS and HC groups. The chi-square test was applied to determine differences in employment status between groups. Correlations between cognitive and employment status, work productivity and QOL test scores were then explored using Pearson's r tests.
Results: MS patients were 82% female, aged 49+2 years, with 53% reaching at least senior high school. MS patients had a mean EDSS 2.7+0.3 and disease duration of 11.3+1.3 years. Compared to the HC group, the MS cohort had significantly lower total ARCS, memory, fluency and attention scores and reduced performance on all BICAMS battery assessments (p< 0.01). Quality of life physical and mental status were lower in the MS group (p< 0.0001) by 24.5% and 20.2% respectively. The proportion of individuals employed in the MS group (57.1%) was lower than in HCs (79.6%) (p=0.03). Of those employed, work activity impairment, presenteeism and overall work impairment was increased by 2.4, 7.4 and 6.7 fold respectively, in the MS group (p< 0.05). While age was a predictor for employment status for both HC and MS, SDMT was the only predictor for employment status in the MS cohort, once all other factors were accounted for.
Conclusions: Despite an overall low EDSS, MS patients display a lower cognitive performance and quality of life than matched controls. Employment status seems to be linked to cognitive performance. Monitoring SDMT in MS patients is essential, as it predicts the ability to remain in the work force.
Disclosure: Karen Ribbons: nothing to disclose
Gayle Lea: nothing to disclose
Rodney Lea: nothing to disclose
Jeannette Lechner-Scott: has accepted travel compensation from Novartis, Biogen and Merck Serono. Her institution receives the honoraria for talks and advisory board commitment and also clinic support from Bayer Health Care, Biogen Idec, CSL, Genzyme Sanofi, Merck Serono, Novartis and Teva.