Subjective cognitive impairment is related to work status in people with multiple sclerosis

J. van Wegen; E.E.A. van Egmond; R.H.B. Benedict; E.A.C. Beenakker; J.J.J. van Eijk; S.T.F.M. Frequin; K. de Gans; O.H.H. Gerlach; D.A.M. van Gorp; G.J.D. Hengstman; P.J. Jongen; J.J.L. van der Klink; M.F. Reneman; W.I.M. Verhagen; H.A.M. Middelkoop; L.H. Visser; H.E. Hulst; K. van der Hiele

IBRO Neuroscience Reports (Dec 2022)

Subjective cognitive impairment is related to work status in people with multiple sclerosis

J. van Wegen,
E.E.A. van Egmond,
R.H.B. Benedict,
E.A.C. Beenakker,
J.J.J. van Eijk,
S.T.F.M. Frequin,
K. de Gans,
O.H.H. Gerlach,
D.A.M. van Gorp,
G.J.D. Hengstman,
P.J. Jongen,
J.J.L. van der Klink,
M.F. Reneman,
W.I.M. Verhagen,
H.A.M. Middelkoop,
L.H. Visser,
H.E. Hulst,
K. van der Hiele

Affiliations

J. van Wegen: Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Medisch Centrum, Department of Neurology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Correspondence to: Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Polikliniek Neurologie, attn. J. van Wegen, Postbus 7700, 1000 SN Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
E.E.A. van Egmond: Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands; University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands; National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Department of Neurology, Tilburg, the Netherlands
R.H.B. Benedict: University at Buffalo, Department of Neurology, New York, United States
E.A.C. Beenakker: Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Department of Neurology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
J.J.J. van Eijk: Jeroen Bosch Hospital, Department of Neurology, ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
S.T.F.M. Frequin: St. Antonius Hospital, Department of Neurology, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
K. de Gans: Groene Hart Hospital, Department of Neurology, Gouda, the Netherlands
O.H.H. Gerlach: Zuyderland Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands
D.A.M. van Gorp: University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands
G.J.D. Hengstman: Upendo MS Clinic, Boxtel, the Netherlands
P.J. Jongen: MS4 Research Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Community & Occupational Medicine, Groningen, the Netherlands
J.J.L. van der Klink: Tilburg University, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo Scientific Center for Care and Welfare, Tilburg, the Netherlands; Optentia, North West University of South Africa, Vanderbijlspark, South Africa
M.F. Reneman: University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Community & Occupational Medicine, Groningen, the Netherlands
W.I.M. Verhagen: Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
H.A.M. Middelkoop: Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Leiden, the Netherlands
L.H. Visser: University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Department of Neurology, Tilburg, the Netherlands
H.E. Hulst: Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands
K. van der Hiele: Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13
pp. 513 – 522

Abstract

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Background: Unemployment is common among people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and has been associated with subjective cognitive difficulties, specifically in memory, attention, and executive functioning. However, longitudinal research on subjective cognitive difficulties and employment is scarce. Objective: We investigated whether subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), based on the clinical cut-off score of the MS Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ), was associated with work status and negative work events (NWE) at baseline and after 2 years. Moreover, we investigated whether four MSNQ subdomains were related to work status and NWE. Methods: 287 participants (77.4% female, median age = 42 years) completed questionnaires on subjective cognitive functioning, depression, anxiety, and fatigue, and completed the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). After baseline comparisons, logistic regression analyses were performed, with work status and NWE at baseline, and employment change and NWE change within 2 years after baseline as dependent variables. Independent variables included SCI and the MSNQ domains. Covariates anxiety, depression, fatigue, and SDMT were added. Results: SCI, depression and anxiety were associated with work status (Nagelkerke R2 = .286), but only SCI was associated with employment change (Nagelkerke R2 = .164). No predictors were associated with NWE at baseline or follow-up. In addition, no MSNQ subdomain was related to work status, employment change or NWE. Conclusion: Unemployed pwMS and pwMS with a deteriorated work status reported more cognitive difficulties after 2 years than employed pwMS or pwMS with a stable work status. In addition, depression, and anxiety were associated with work status.

Published in IBRO Neuroscience Reports

ISSN: 2667-2421 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ibro-neuroscience-reports

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