Self-reported work productivity in people with multiple sclerosis and its association with mental and physical health

Elianne E A van Egmond; Dennis A M van Gorp; Peter J Jongen; Jac J L van der Klink; Michiel F Reneman; Edo P J Arnoldus; Ernesto A C Beenakker; Jeroen J J van Eijk; Stephan T F M Frequin; Oliver H H Gerlach; Gerald J D Hengstman; Johan W B Moll; Wim I M Verhagen; Huub A M Middelkoop; Leo H Visser; Karin van der Hiele

doi:10.1080/09638288.2021.1981468

Self-reported work productivity in people with multiple sclerosis and its association with mental and physical health

Disabil Rehabil. 2022 Nov;44(23):7096-7105. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1981468. Epub 2021 Oct 5.

Authors

Elianne E A van Egmond^{1

2

3

4}, Dennis A M van Gorp⁴, Peter J Jongen^{5

6}, Jac J L van der Klink^{7

8}, Michiel F Reneman⁹, Edo P J Arnoldus¹, Ernesto A C Beenakker¹⁰, Jeroen J J van Eijk¹¹, Stephan T F M Frequin¹², Oliver H H Gerlach¹³, Gerald J D Hengstman¹⁴, Johan W B Moll¹⁵, Wim I M Verhagen¹⁶, Huub A M Middelkoop^{2

17}, Leo H Visser^{1

4}, Karin van der Hiele²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
² Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
³ National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
⁵ MS4 Research Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Community & Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
⁷ Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Tranzo Scientific Centre for Care and Welfare, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
⁸ Optentia, North West University of South Africa, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.
⁹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Centre for Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Haren, The Netherlands.
¹⁰ Department of Neurology, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
¹¹ Department of Neurology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 'S-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
¹² Department of Neurology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
¹³ Department of Neurology, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Sittard-Geleen, The Netherlands.
¹⁴ Department of Neurology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
¹⁵ Department of Neurology, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
¹⁶ Department of Neurology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
¹⁷ Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.

PMID: 34607481
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1981468

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify mental health, physical health, demographic and disease characteristics relating to work productivity in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 236 employed people with MS (median age = 42 years, 78.8% female) underwent neurological and neuropsychological assessments. Additionally, they completed questionnaires inquiring about work productivity (presenteeism: reduced productivity while working, and absenteeism: loss of productivity due to absence from work), mental and physical health, demographic and disease characteristics. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed with presenteeism and absenteeism as dependent variables, respectively.

Results: A model with mental and physical health factors significantly predicted presenteeism F(11,202) = 11.33, p < 0.001, R² = 0.38; a higher cognitive (p < 0.001) and physical impact (p = 0.042) of fatigue were associated with more presenteeism. A model with only mental health factors significantly predicted absenteeism; χ²(11)=37.72, p < 0.001, with R² = 0.27 (Nagelkerke) and R² = 0.16 (Cox and Snell). Specifically, we observed that more symptoms of depression (p = 0.041) and a higher cognitive impact of fatigue (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with more absenteeism.

Conclusions: In people with MS, both cognitive and physical impact of fatigue are positively related to presenteeism, while symptoms of depression and cognitive impact of fatigue are positively related to absenteeism.Implications for rehabilitationMultiple sclerosis (MS) affects people of working age, significantly interfering with work productivity.Higher cognitive and physical impact of fatigue were associated with more presenteeism in workers with MS.A higher cognitive impact of fatigue and more depressive symptoms were associated with absenteeism in workers with MS.Occupational and healthcare professionals should be aware of the impact of both physical and mental health on work productivity in workers with MS.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; depression; employment; fatigue; work.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Efficiency
Fatigue / complications
Female
Humans
Male
Multiple Sclerosis* / complications
Multiple Sclerosis* / psychology
Self Report