Abstract Details

Title Characteristics of Persons Unable To Work Due to MS in the Pacific Northwest MS Registry

Topic MS and Related Diseases

Presentation(s) P03 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 208

Objective

Background BACKGROUND: Due to its debilitating symptoms, MS can have a significant impact on employment status. However, little research has focused on specific factors that impact employment status of people with MS.

Design/Methods DESIGN/METHODS: Data from the Pacific Northwest MS Registry, a regional population-based registry of people with MS, was used. A baseline survey was administered to all 3,847 participants in 2011 and 2012. Information included demographics, current work status, initial and current symptoms, quality of life (QOL), and disability status. Chi square and t-tests comparing Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scores, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS) scores, and demographic information by participants' employment status were conducted.

Results RESULTS: Of the 1997 responding participants, 135 (6.7%) were excluded from analyses due to incomplete employment data. Approximately 30% of participants (n=567) reported being unable to work due to MS, 36.1% (n=672) were employed, and 33.5% (n=623) were not employed for reasons other than MS. When compared to participants who were not employed for non-MS reasons, participants unable to work due to MS were younger (56.2 years versus 62.8 years, p=.000), had shorter disease duration (16.8 years versus 18.8 years, p=.001), greater disability scores (4.26 versus 3.14, p<.001) and poorer physical (55.8 versus 36.3, p<.001) and psychological (46.4 versus 31.2, p<.001) QOL scores. Disease severity, duration and age were greater in participants unable to work due to MS than in those still working.

Conclusions CONCLUSIONS: People who were unable to work due to MS had a higher degree of disability and experienced greater negative impact on QOL compared to those with MS who are either employed or unemployed for reasons other than MS.

Authors/Disclosures
Tamela Stuchiner (Providence Brain and Spine Institute) PRESENTER	Ms. Stuchiner has nothing to disclose.
Nicholas Schwab	The institution of Nicholas Schwab has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Nicholas Schwab has received research support from Roche.
Elizabeth A. Baraban, PhD, MPH (Providence Health and Services)	The institution of Dr. Baraban has received research support from Boehringer Ingelheim.
Chiayi Chen, PhD, RN	Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose.
Stanley L. Cohan, MD, PhD, FAAN	Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for AbbVie. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche Genentech. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb (Celgene). Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Icometrix. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for EMD Serono. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for sanofi genzyme. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Novartis. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Roche Genentech. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for EMD Serono. Dr. Cohan has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Icometrix.

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