Clinical course of multiple sclerosis and labour-force absenteeism: a longitudinal population-based study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Socioeconomics

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition causing significant disability.
• Understanding the long-term socioeconomic impact of different MS courses is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical course on sick leave and disability pension.
• To compare absenteeism across relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS), and primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Registry for 5371 patients.
• Calculated annual sick leave and disability pension days by MS course, age, and time relative to diagnosis.
• Employed statistical analyses including Welch's t-tests, ANOVA, mixed-effects regression, and survival analysis.

Main Results:

• Patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS) had significantly higher annual sick leave and disability pension days compared to relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
• Absenteeism for PPMS was notably higher than RRMS even years before diagnosis.
• Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and PPMS showed similar levels of labour-force absenteeism.

Conclusions:

• Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is associated with substantially lower long-term sick leave and disability pension compared to SPMS and PPMS.
• The findings highlight the differential socioeconomic burden of MS clinical courses.
• Results can inform clinical classification and support strategies for managing MS-related work absence.