Multiple Sclerosis Patients Have Higher Full Employment Rates Than Other Patients Following in the Neuroimmunology Clinic.

Background:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) commonly starts in the early decades of life and affects the ability of patients to remain in the workforce. MS has an unpredictable clinical course and can result in early disability accumulation. However, recent advances in therapeutic interventions positively altered the natural history of the disease. This development may allow patients to maintain employment.

Objectives:

To investigate the frequency of full-time employment in people younger than age 55 with MS compared to non-MS patients who follow at the neuroimmunology clinic.

Methods:

This study was a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective review of employment status in MS patients and non-MS neurologic controls receiving clinical care at the Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression accounting for race, sex, and marital status (married or significant other vs. not married) were conducted. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. The significance level was set at 0.05.

Results:

A total of 2171 patients were analyzed (924 with MS and 1247 with non-MS neurologic presentation). 670 patients were fully employed (30.9%). MS was associated with increased odds of being fully employed compared to non-MS patients, OR=1.93 (CI: 1.601, 2.335), p<0.0001. Sex was not associated with employment (p=0.4). However, Black or African American patients were less likely to be fully employed than white or Caucasian patients, OR=0.45 (0.343, 0.598), p<0.0001. Being married was associated with increased odds of being fully employed, OR=1.41 (CI: 1.163, 1.707) compared to those not married.

Conclusions:

Patients with MS have significantly higher employment rates than non-MS patients in the neuroimmunology clinic. Married or significant other status is associated with increased odds for full-time employment. Black or African American patients are less likely to have full employment status, indicating racial disparity in employment. The disparity may be related to more severe disease or other demographic factors that warrant further investigation.