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Short Term Predictors of Unemployment in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2016

K.D. Busche ,
J.D. Fisk ,
T.J. Murray  and
L.M. Metz
K.D. Busche
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
J.D. Fisk
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
T.J. Murray
Affiliation:
Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
L.M. Metz*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
*
Foothills Medical Centre, 1403 29th St. NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 2T9
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Abstract:

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Background:

Unemployment is common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is associated with loss of income and impaired health related quality of life. This study determined variables associated with unemployment and risk factors for the development of unemployment in people with MS.

Methods:

Ninety-six patients who were under age 65 and participated in two previous studies to measure economic costs and health related quality of life in MS were included. The baseline employment rate and variables associated with unemployment at baseline were determined. The ability of these variables to predict unemployment over the next two and a half years was then evaluated.

Results:

At baseline 50.1% (50/96) of participants were employed. Two and a half years later only 40.6% (39/96) remained employed. This represents loss of employment for 22.0% (11/50) of those originally employed. Factors associated with unemployment at baseline included greater disability, progressive disease course, longer disease duration, and older age. Risk factors for loss of employment over the next 2.5 years included greater disability and older age.

Conclusions:

This study confirms the low employment rate among people with MS and confirms the association of several previously-reported factors with greater risk of unemployment. It is also the first study to confirm that some of these factors also increase the risk of future unemployment. People with MS who are over age 39 or have moderate disability and are still employed can now be identified as at risk for becoming unemployed over the next 2.5 years. They should be considered for interventions to maintain employment or to lessen the impact of unemployment.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:Contexte:

Le chômage est fréquent chez les individus atteints de sclérose en plaques (SEP) et il est associé à une perte de revenu et à une diminution de la qualité de vie reliée à la santé (QVRS). Cette étude a identifié des variables associées au chômage et des facteurs de risque du chômage chez les individus atteints de SEP.

Méthodes:

Quatre-vingt-seize patients de moins de 65 ans, ayant participé à deux études antérieures sur les conséquences économiques et la QVRS dans la SEP, ont été inclus dans l'étude. Le taux d'emploi et les variables associées au chômage ont été déterminés au début de l'étude. On a évalué la capacité de ces variables à prédire le chômage éventuel au cours d'une période de deux ans et demie.

Résultats:

Au début de l'étude, 50,1% (50/96) des participants avaient un emploi. Deux ans et demi plus tard, seulement 40,6% (39/96) travaillaient encore, ce qui représente une perte d'emploi pour 22,0% (11/50) de ceux qui travaillaient au début de l'étude. Les facteurs associés au chômage au début de l'étude étaient: un degré plus élevé d'invalidité, une maladie progressive, une durée plus longue de la maladie et un âge plus élevé. Les facteurs de risque d'une perte d'emploi pendant les 2,5 années de l'étude étaient: un degré d'invalidité supérieur et un âge plus élevé.

Conclusions:

Cette étude confirme le faible taux d'emploi chez les individus atteints de SEP et l'association de plusieurs facteurs déjà identifiés avec un risque plus élevé de chômage. C'est également la première étude à confirmer que certains de ces facteurs augmentent également le risque de chômage subséquent. On peut dorénavant considérer que les individus atteints de SEP, qui ont plus de 39 ans ou qui ont une invalidité modérée et qui ont encore un emploi, sont à risque de devenir chômeurs dans les 2,5 prochaines années. On devrait envisager d'intervenir pour maintenir l'emploi ou pour diminuer l'impact du chômage éventuel.

Type
Original Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , May 2003 , pp. 137 - 142
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2003

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