title: Improved ability to work after one year of natalizumab treatment in multiple sclerosis. Analysis of disease-specific and work-related factors that influence the effect of treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) constitutes one of the major diseases that leads to neurological impairment and as a consequence also reduces ability to work.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to analyze possible effects on work ability resulting from highly active anti-inflammatory treatment in MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the effects of introducing an anti-inflammatory treatment, natalizumab, in MS, on factors related to work ability. This was done through a comprehensive questionnaire distributed to all patients in Sweden starting on natalizumab treatment between June 2007 and May 2008, identified via the Swedish National MS registry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MS patients who were receiving sickness benefit and were treated with natalizumab approximately doubled their working ability in relation to their total employment rate. We also documented a significant improvement of their ability to cope with work-related requirements after one year of natalizumab treatment, an improvement which was independent of the previous level of employment. Predictors of a positive effect on work ability were short disease duration, younger age and lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) grade at treatment onset.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data support the notion that early inflammatory control in MS is essential to preserve a healthy state in MS that counteracts the negative consequences of the disease both at a personal and at a societal level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wickström
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nyström
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Svenningsson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069442:Natalizumab; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069442:Natalizumab