title: Sources and level of income among individuals with multiple sclerosis compared to the general population: A nationwide population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with reduced work capacity, but there is limited knowledge about MS patients' sources of income.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to elucidate MS patients' earnings and social benefits compared to those of the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  From nationwide registers of all residents in Sweden aged 21-64 years in 2010 (n=5,291,764), those with an MS diagnosis (n=13,979) were compared to a propensity score matched reference group (n=69,895). Descriptive statistics and regression models were used to estimate the percentage difference between the MS patients and the matched references regarding the following annual incomes: earnings, disability pension, sickness absence, disability allowance, unemployment compensation and social assistance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both MS patients and the matched references received most of their income from earnings followed by disability pension and sickness absence. MS patients that were diagnosed in 2010 had 15% lower earnings than the matched references, while MS patients diagnosed before 2005 had 38% lower earnings. Corresponding figures regarding summed social benefits were 33% and 130% higher for MS patients, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that MS patients are overrepresented, in relative and absolute terms, regarding health-related benefits and have lower levels of earnings. However, the redistributing welfare systems appear to financially compensate the MS patients considerably.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden Michael.Wiberg@ki.se.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Friberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stenbeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alexanderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Norlund
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hillert
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
authors.forename: Petter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tinghög
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000191:economics*; D010415:Pensions; D012042:Registries; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D012943:Social Security; D013548:Sweden; D014478:Unemployment; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; disability allowance; disability pension; earnings; sick leave; social assistance; unemployment compensation