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... Show morePurpose 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, R-2 = 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; chi(2)(11)=37.72, p < 0.001, with R-2 = 0.27 (Nagelkerke) and R-2 = 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. Show less
Hiele, K. van der; Gorp, D.A.M. van; Egmond, E.E.A. van; Jongen, P.J.; Reneman, M.F.; Klink, J.J.L. van der; ... ; Visser, L.H. 2021
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) poses a major threat to sustainable employability. Identifying conditions and factors that promote work participation is of great importance. Our objective was... Show moreBackground: Multiple sclerosis (MS) poses a major threat to sustainable employability. Identifying conditions and factors that promote work participation is of great importance. Our objective was to explore the contribution of personality traits in explaining occupational functioning in MS. Methods: 241 participants with relapsing-remitting MS (78% female, median age: 42.0 years, median EDSS: 2.0) and 60 healthy controls (70% female, median age: 45.0 years) underwent neuropsychological and neurological examinations and completed questionnaires. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to examine relations between personality traits and self-reported occupational functioning, while accounting for known correlates. Results: Personality traits were not associated with self-reported occupational functioning when correcting for known correlates. A higher impact of fatigue (B = -0.05, p = .005 and B = -0.04, p = .009) and depression (B = -0.22, p = .008 and B = -0.21, p = .01) were associated with no paid job (R2 = 0.13) and considering to reduce work hours (R2 = 0.12). A higher impact of fatigue (B = -0.05, p = .008, beta = 0.46, p = .001 and beta = -0.36, p = .001) was associated with absenteeism from work (R2 = 0.15), more presenteeism (R2 = 0.35) and lower work ability (R2 = 0.25). A higher impact of fatigue (beta = 0.46, p = .001) and anxiety (beta = 0.25, p = .001) were associated with more work difficulties (R2 = 0.54). Conclusion: Personality traits did not explain additional variance in self-reported occupational functioning in persons with relapsing-remitting MS with mild disability. The impact of fatigue was the main and most consistent correlate of occupational functioning, often combined with depression or anxiety. Total explained variance of the Show less
Gorp, D.A.M. van; Hiele, K. van der; Heerings, M.A.P.; Jongen, P.J.; Van der Klink, J.J.L.; Reneman, M.F.; ... ; Middelkoop, H.A.M. 2019
