Abstract: EP1438
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Economic burden
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with both high unemployment rate and burden of disease, especially during critical years of work life. Among 24-80% of MS patients are unemployed and this has been associated with worse quality of life. The aim was to investigate the employment status among patients with MS (PwMS) and to assess factors associated with unemployment.
Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire was carried out from August to December 2017 in Argentina. We included 219 PwMS who were assessed by their employment status. We also evaluated demographic, disease course, disability status, comorbidities, level of education, current treatment, health insurance and burden of MS characteristics, within the last 12 months. These data were compared among PwMS employed vs. unemployed.
Results: Of the 219 PwMS, 185 (84.5%) were employed (full-time: 59%), 34 (15.5%) were currently unemployed and 15 (6.8%) retired by MS. Ages at disease onset, gender, disease duration, disease course, comorbidities, pension for MS disease and both neurological visit and neuro-images frequency in the last year were similar in both groups. Moderate level of disability was significantly associated with unemployment (p = 0.04). In addition, both low level of education and current use of MS medication were significantly associated with unemployment (p = 0.01, p = 0.04, respectively). Twenty-four (71%) PwMS in the unemployed group had certified disability retirement/ disability benefits (p < 0.01) and 14 (41.1%) state-run health coverage. On the employed group, 26 (18%) PwMS had licenses due to MS disease and they also had reduction of both working hours (28%) and salary (18%).
Conclusions: The rate of unemployment in this cohort was 15.5%. In addition, these findings support that PwMS employed have reduction of working hours and salary as well as work licenses and certified disability retirement due to MS disease.
Disclosure: None of the authors has any potential financial conflict of interest related to this poster
Abstract: EP1438
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Economic burden
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with both high unemployment rate and burden of disease, especially during critical years of work life. Among 24-80% of MS patients are unemployed and this has been associated with worse quality of life. The aim was to investigate the employment status among patients with MS (PwMS) and to assess factors associated with unemployment.
Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire was carried out from August to December 2017 in Argentina. We included 219 PwMS who were assessed by their employment status. We also evaluated demographic, disease course, disability status, comorbidities, level of education, current treatment, health insurance and burden of MS characteristics, within the last 12 months. These data were compared among PwMS employed vs. unemployed.
Results: Of the 219 PwMS, 185 (84.5%) were employed (full-time: 59%), 34 (15.5%) were currently unemployed and 15 (6.8%) retired by MS. Ages at disease onset, gender, disease duration, disease course, comorbidities, pension for MS disease and both neurological visit and neuro-images frequency in the last year were similar in both groups. Moderate level of disability was significantly associated with unemployment (p = 0.04). In addition, both low level of education and current use of MS medication were significantly associated with unemployment (p = 0.01, p = 0.04, respectively). Twenty-four (71%) PwMS in the unemployed group had certified disability retirement/ disability benefits (p < 0.01) and 14 (41.1%) state-run health coverage. On the employed group, 26 (18%) PwMS had licenses due to MS disease and they also had reduction of both working hours (28%) and salary (18%).
Conclusions: The rate of unemployment in this cohort was 15.5%. In addition, these findings support that PwMS employed have reduction of working hours and salary as well as work licenses and certified disability retirement due to MS disease.
Disclosure: None of the authors has any potential financial conflict of interest related to this poster