title: Effect of immunomodulatory therapy and other factors on employment loss time in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The factors that influence time missed from work among individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis were the focus of this study. Records of individuals who were employed and diagnosed with multiple sclerosis between the years 1999 and 2002 (N=284) were examined for details pertaining to their medical claims. Multivariate regressions, controlling for demographic characteristics, type of immunomodulatory medication, and overall severity of illness, were used in the examination of the total number of days missed from work for any reason and those missed due to absenteeism, short-term disability, or worker's compensation. Results indicate that lost work time is affected by severity of illness, and type of immunomodulatory therapy. Comparing individuals treated with the specific immunomodulator glatiramer acetate, interferon beta-1a (intramuscular), or interferon beta-1b, to those who did not receive multiple sclerosis medications of this type; only glatiramer acetate was associated with significantly fewer days missed from work for short term disability (18.24 fewer days, P<0.03), worker's compensation (29.50 fewer days, P<0.04) or any reason (53.70 fewer days, P< 0.003).
authors.affiliation: HealthMetrics Outcomes Research, Groton, CT, USA. lagemi@hlthmetrics.com
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lage
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castelli-Haley
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Oleen-Burkey
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010455:Peptides; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a