title: Variables related to working capability among Swiss patients with multiple sclerosis--a cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reduced working capability is one of the most devastating consequences of multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to study working capability and related variables in Swiss MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analysis of employment status and risk factors for reduced working capability among MS patients treated at our outpatient clinic. A questionnaire was mailed to 644 MS patients and returned by 69.7%. 405 patients (66% female, mean age 44.2 years (SD ± 10.2), median EDSS 3.0 (SD ± 1.8)) were eligible for subsequent analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a mean disease duration of 12.3 years (SD ± 8.25), full or part time employment was declared by 26.7% and 25.7%, respectively. Incapacity to work was reported by 27.1%. A total of 52.8% specified MS as the cause for altered working capability, whereas 20.5% cited reasons unrelated to the disorder. Even with minimal disability (EDSS < 3) a significant proportion of patients (24%) reported reduced working capability. Among the MS-specific restricting factors were fatigue (47.6%), sensorimotor deficits (31.1%), impaired vision (3.3%) and pain (2.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MS continues to takes its toll on the professional life of the patients early in the course. While complete incapacity becomes relevant with moderate to severe disability, many patients scale down to part-time even with minimal impairment.
authors: Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Findling
authors: Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Baltisberger
authors: Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Jung
authors: Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Christian P
authors: CP
authors: Kamm
authors: Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Heinrich P
authors: HP
authors: Mattle
authors: Department of Neurology, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medizinische Universität, Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Johann
authors: J
authors: Sellner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013557:Switzerland