Workplace difficulties in early-stage relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with low physical disability.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Occupational Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly impacts individuals' lives, often extending beyond physical limitations.
• Early-stage relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) with low physical disability can still present substantial workplace challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the perceived workplace difficulties in individuals with early-stage RRMS and low physical disability.
• To identify predictors of workplace challenges in this population.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 128 individuals with early-stage RRMS and low physical disability.
• Utilized the 23-item Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire (MSWDQ-23) to assess workplace challenges.
• Employed multivariable analysis to determine independent predictors of workplace difficulty.

Main Results:

• 40.6% of participants reported significant workplace challenges.
• External barriers, such as inflexibility and work-life imbalance, posed the greatest burden.
• Fatigue (OR 1.37) and anxiety (OR 1.21) were identified as key independent predictors of workplace difficulty.
• Women reported higher difficulty scores than men.

Conclusions:

• Workplace vulnerability in early-stage MS is primarily driven by non-motor symptoms (fatigue, anxiety) rather than overt neurological impairment.
• A dissociation exists between physical disability and functional work outcomes.
• Proactive clinical screening for fatigue and anxiety is essential to support vocational stability and long-term career trajectories in individuals with MS.