Employment status in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis from Argentina: Impact of disability and neuropsychological factors

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Carnero Contentti, Edgar^{a; *} | López, Pablo Adrián^a | Pettinicchi, Juan Pablo^a | Tkachuk, Veronica^b | Balbuena, María Eugenia^b | Caride, Alejandro^a

Affiliations: [a] Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Hospital Alemán, Buenos Aires, Argentina | [b] Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. Edgar Carnero Contentti, Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Hospital Alemán, Av Pueyrredón 1640, C1118AAT, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tel.: +54 54 11 4827 7000/Extension: 2050; E-mail: [email protected]; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Unemployment is common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and might be prevented if factors associated with work loss are identified. OBJECTIVE:We aimed to assess the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on employment status in a cohort of PwMS from Argentina and to evaluate their association with anxiety, depression, fatigue and disability. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess employment in PwMS using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire, which also included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and Expanded Disability Status Scale. The data was compared between employed (full-time vs. part-time) vs. unemployed (looking for vs. not looking for work) PwMS. Univariate and multivariate models were designed to identify factors independently associated with unemployment. RESULTS:Among the 167 PwMS, 120 (71.6%, full-time = 65%) were employed, and 47 (28.4%, looking for work = 27.6%) were currently unemployed. Age, gender, and duration of disease were similar in both groups. Univariate analysis showed that anxiety, depression, fatigue and disability were significantly associated with unemployed PwMS. However, only disability (OR = 1.36 (1.08–1.70), p = 0.007) was independently associated with unemployment after applying multivariate analysis (logistic regression). CONCLUSION:Nearly one-third of PwMS from this sample in Argentina were unemployed. Neuropsychological factors and disability were associated with unemployment status.

Keywords: Loss work, Latin America, demyelinating diseases, sequelae, anxiety, depression, fatigue

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213446

Journal: Work, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 1171-1177, 2021