An observational study of work quality and cognitive function in the developing world: Perspectives from Argentina on...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Public Health

Background:

• Previous research in North America and Europe identified links between disability and job loss in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
• These links are less understood in Spanish-speaking South American countries, which face higher poverty and unemployment rates.
• Understanding employment status (ES) in PwMS is crucial in these regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate the prevalence of ES in PwMS in Argentina.
• To analyze demographic, clinical, and cognitive differences between work-stable, work-challenged, and work-loss groups in PwMS.
• To compare ES between PwMS and healthy controls (HCs) and identify work challenges, job types, and accommodations for PwMS in Argentina.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 80 PwMS and 80 HCs.
• Participants completed the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) and the Buffalo Vocational Monitoring Survey (BVMS).
• Assessments explored ES, negative work events (NWEs), work accommodations, working hours, and job types.

Main Results:

• PwMS exhibited worse ES than HCs: 51.2% work-stable, 25% work-challenged, and 23.8% work-loss, compared to 90% work-stable, 6.2% work-challenged, and 3.8% work-loss in HCs.
• Significant differences in cognitive scores (SDMT, CVLT, BVMT-R) were observed between work-stable, work-challenged, and work-loss groups in PwMS.
• PwMS reported more NWEs and accommodations than HCs, with similar working hours and job types found between groups.

Conclusions:

• PwMS experience poorer vocational outcomes compared to HCs.
• Deficits in processing speed and physical disability are potential contributors to the decline in ES among PwMS.
• Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and support for PwMS in South America.