Employment status, productivity loss, and associated factors among people with multiple sclerosis. (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodriguez Llorian, Elisabet; Zhang, Wei; Khakban, Amir; Michaux, Kristina; Patten, Scott; Traboulsee, Anthony; Oh, Jiwon; Kolind, Shannon; Prat, Alexandre; Tam, Roger; Lynd, Larry D
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 29:Number 7(2023)
• Page Start: 866
• Page End: 874
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: Employment status -- productivity loss -- multiple sclerosis; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/13524585231164295
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects people in their most productive years of life. Consequently, MS can substantially affect employment and work-related outcomes. Objectives: This study characterizes productivity loss and employment status of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and investigates associated factors. Methods: We used baseline data collected as part of the Canadian Prospective Cohort Study to Understand Progression in Multiple Sclerosis (CanProCo). Using the Valuation of Lost Productivity questionnaire, we measured MS-related paid work productivity loss for those employed, productivity losses incurred by those unemployed (i.e. lost employment time), and unpaid work productivity losses for all. A set of sociodemographic, disease, and performance-related factors were investigated using a two-part regression model for productivity loss and a multinomial logistic model for employment status. Results: From the cohort of 888 pwMS enrolled at baseline (mostly showing mild to moderate disability), 75% were employed, and of those unemployed, 69% attributed their unemployment to health-related issues. Total productivity loss over a 3-month period averaged 64 and 395 hours for those employed and unemployed, respectively. Some factors that affected productivity loss and employment status included use of disease-modifying therapies, fatigue, and performance indicators such as cognitive processing speed. Conclusion: Productivity loss experienced by employed and unemployed pwMS is substantial. Targeting the identified modifiable factors is likely to improve work productivity and permanence of MS patients in the workforce.