Contributions
Abstract: EP1545
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: The majority of MS patients are unable to retain in the work force. Cognitive dysfunction is increasingly being recognized as an important limiting factor in work participation in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. This literature review provides a description, synthesis and interpretation of the existing literature and identifies gaps and caveats in current knowledge.
Methods: Clinical trials, randomized controlled trials or observational quantitative studies, published between 1970 and April 2017 in which data on cognitive factors associated with employment, work functioning or work-related problems were reported, were included. Papers were manually double checked by two blinded reviewers.
Results: A total of 41 papers were included of which 4 papers concerned prospective, longitudinal studies. The majority of studies reported positive associations between cognitive functioning and work outcomes (37/41 studies; 90%). Positive associations were found between work outcomes and global cognitive functioning (8/9 studies; 89%), language (8/17 studies; 47%), processing speed/ working memory (22/26 studies; 85%), new learning and memory (12/21 studies; 57%), executive functioning (10/16; 63%), intelligence (1/6; 17%) and self-reported cognitive functioning (14/15; 93%). None of the reviewed studies found a relation between visuospatial processing and work outcomes (0/8; 0%). Models including cognitive measures as well as demographic (age, education), neurological (disability, fine motor coordination, disease course), and psychological variables (depression, personality, fatigue) best predicted work outcomes.
Conclusion: By conducting this review we found ample evidence that objective cognitive functioning (specifically processing speed/ working memory and executive functioning) and self-reported cognitive functioning are important independent associates of work outcomes and should be addressed by healthcare professionals. Future research could benefit from a standardized categorization of cognitive tests and a focus on longitudinal changes in cognition and its relation to work outcomes.
Disclosure: D.A.M. van Gorp received honoraria for presentations from Sanofi Genzyme.
K. van der Hiele received honoraria for consultancies, presentations and advisory boards from Sanofi Genzyme and Merck Serono.
H. Middelkoop reports no competing interests.
L.H. Visser received honoraria for lectures, grants for research and honoraria for advisory boards from Sanofi Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis and Teva.
Abstract: EP1545
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: The majority of MS patients are unable to retain in the work force. Cognitive dysfunction is increasingly being recognized as an important limiting factor in work participation in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. This literature review provides a description, synthesis and interpretation of the existing literature and identifies gaps and caveats in current knowledge.
Methods: Clinical trials, randomized controlled trials or observational quantitative studies, published between 1970 and April 2017 in which data on cognitive factors associated with employment, work functioning or work-related problems were reported, were included. Papers were manually double checked by two blinded reviewers.
Results: A total of 41 papers were included of which 4 papers concerned prospective, longitudinal studies. The majority of studies reported positive associations between cognitive functioning and work outcomes (37/41 studies; 90%). Positive associations were found between work outcomes and global cognitive functioning (8/9 studies; 89%), language (8/17 studies; 47%), processing speed/ working memory (22/26 studies; 85%), new learning and memory (12/21 studies; 57%), executive functioning (10/16; 63%), intelligence (1/6; 17%) and self-reported cognitive functioning (14/15; 93%). None of the reviewed studies found a relation between visuospatial processing and work outcomes (0/8; 0%). Models including cognitive measures as well as demographic (age, education), neurological (disability, fine motor coordination, disease course), and psychological variables (depression, personality, fatigue) best predicted work outcomes.
Conclusion: By conducting this review we found ample evidence that objective cognitive functioning (specifically processing speed/ working memory and executive functioning) and self-reported cognitive functioning are important independent associates of work outcomes and should be addressed by healthcare professionals. Future research could benefit from a standardized categorization of cognitive tests and a focus on longitudinal changes in cognition and its relation to work outcomes.
Disclosure: D.A.M. van Gorp received honoraria for presentations from Sanofi Genzyme.
K. van der Hiele received honoraria for consultancies, presentations and advisory boards from Sanofi Genzyme and Merck Serono.
H. Middelkoop reports no competing interests.
L.H. Visser received honoraria for lectures, grants for research and honoraria for advisory boards from Sanofi Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis and Teva.