Abstract Details

Title Variation in Employment Status among People with MS in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P4 - Poster Session 4 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 15-057

Objective To compare employment rates among people with MS living in three countries, including the United States, United Kingdom (UK) and Germany.

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with impairment of physical and cognitive function which contributes to high unemployment rates ranging from 40-80%. Variations in health systems and supports, as well as social policies regarding employment accommodations may also influence employment rates.

Design/Methods We identified participants in three MS registries (North American Research Committee on MS [NARCOMS] Registry, UK MS Register [UK-MS], and German MS Register [GMSR]) between the ages of 18-62 (common working age in all three regions). Each registry captures information about demographics, disability status (categorized as mild, moderate or severe) and employment. Employment status (employed, unemployed), and whether employment was full-time or part-time were extracted. The overall and age-, gender- and disability-specific rates of employment was summarized across the registries. Comparisons were evaluated using chi-square tests.

Results Overall, 31,011 persons with MS (NARCOMS: 5,436, UK-MS: 10,529, GMSR: 15,046) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these 74.7% were women, of mean (SD) age 47.5 (10.2) years. Employment rates were highest in GMSR, 10,053 (66.8%), followed by the UK-MS, 5,064 (48.1%), and NARCOMS, 2,322 (42.7%; p<0.001). We observed a difference in the proportion of males and females employed in the GMSR (71.8% vs 64.9%, p<0.0001), but not in NARCOMS (40.7% vs 43.1%, p=0.169) or UK-MS (48.0% vs 48.2%, p=0.89). Employment was high for mild disability levels (UK-MS: 80.3%, GMSR: 79.3%, NARCOMS: 65.3%) and decreased with increasing disability. Generally, as age increased, the proportion employed decreased. Among those aged >30 years, higher proportions were employed in the GMSR and UK-MS than in NARCOMS (p<0.0001).

Conclusions Employment rates varied across countries with the GMSR having higher rates of employment overall and stratified by gender and age, albeit having a greater proportion with lower disability.

Authors/Disclosures
PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Jeff Rodgers	Jeff Rodgers has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
Richard S. Nicholas, FRCP (Imperial College Healthcare Trust)	Dr. Nicholas has nothing to disclose.
Ruth-Ann Marrie, MD, PhD (University of Manitoba)	The institution of Dr. Marrie has received research support from CIHR. The institution of Dr. Marrie has received research support from MS Canada. The institution of Dr. Marrie has received research support from National MS Society. The institution of Dr. Marrie has received research support from Crohn's and Colitis Canada. The institution of Dr. Marrie has received research support from US Department of Defense. The institution of Dr. Marrie has received research support from The Arthritis Society. The institution of Dr. Marrie has received research support from CMSC.
Rod Middleton (Data Scienve Building)	The institution of Mr. Middleton has received research support from MS Society.

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