Self-reported work productivity in people with multiple sclerosis and its association with mental and physical health
Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 44, pp. 7096–7105
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.
Authors 16
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Elianne E. A. van Egmond corresponding Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Medical and Neuropsychology Unit
Leiden University · University of Humanistic Studies · Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis
Affiliation as printed
Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Department of Neurology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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University of Humanistic Studies
Affiliation as printed
Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen · MS4 Research Institute
Affiliation as printed
Department of Community & Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
MS4 Research Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Tilburg University · North-West University
Affiliation as printed
Optentia, North West University of South Africa, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Tranzo Scientific Centre for Care and Welfare, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen
Affiliation as printed
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Centre for Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Haren, The Netherlands
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Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis
Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, ‘S-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
Department of Neurology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 'S-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Sittard-Geleen, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Canisius-Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis
Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Huub A. M. Middelkoop Aachen Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre Institute of Psychology, Health Medical and Neuropsychology Unit
Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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University of Humanistic Studies · Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis
Affiliation as printed
Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Department of Neurology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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