The MS@Work study: a 3-year prospective observational study on factors involved with work participation in patients with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of neurological disability in young and middle-aged adults. At this stage in life most people are in the midst of their working career. The majority of MS patients are unable to retain employment within 10 years from disease onset. Leading up to unemployment, many may experience a reduction in hours or work responsibilities and increased time missed from work. The MS@Work study examines various factors that may influence work participation in relapsing-remitting MS patients, including disease-related factors, the working environment and personal factors.


METHODS
The MS@Work study is a multicenter, 3-year prospective observational study on work participation in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. We aim to include 350 patients through 15-18 MS outpatient clinics in the Netherlands. Eligible participants are 18 years and older, and either currently employed or within three years since their last employment. At baseline and after 1, 2 and 3 years, the participants are asked to complete online questionnaires (including questions on work participation, work problems and accommodations, cognitive and physical ability, anxiety, depression, psychosocial stress, quality of life, fatigue, empathy, personality traits and coping strategies) and undergo cognitive and neurological examinations. After six months, patients are requested to only complete online questionnaires. Patient perspectives on maintaining and improving work participation and reasons to stop working are gathered through semi-structured interviews in a sub-group of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Prospective studies with long-term follow-up on work participation in MS are rare, or take into account a limited number of factors. The MS@Work study provides a 3-year follow-up on various factors that may influence work participation in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. We aim to identify factors that relate to job loss and to provide information about preventative measures for physicians, psychologists and other professionals working in the field of occupational health.
National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Mathenesserlaan 378, Rotterdam, 3023HB, The Netherlands. hiele@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.|Department of Psychology, Section Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, Leiden, 2300 RB, The Netherlands. hiele@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.|Department of Neurology, St. Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, PO Box 90151, Tilburg, 5000 LC, The Netherlands. hiele@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
Karin
K
van der Hiele
National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Mathenesserlaan 378, Rotterdam, 3023HB, The Netherlands. dennis@nationaalmsfonds.nl.|Department of Psychology, Section Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, Leiden, 2300 RB, The Netherlands. dennis@nationaalmsfonds.nl.|Department of Neurology, St. Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, PO Box 90151, Tilburg, 5000 LC, The Netherlands. dennis@nationaalmsfonds.nl.|University of Humanistic Studies, PO Box 797, Utrecht, 3500 AT, The Netherlands. dennis@nationaalmsfonds.nl.
Dennis A M
DA
van Gorp
National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Mathenesserlaan 378, Rotterdam, 3023HB, The Netherlands. marco.heerings@nationaalmsfonds.nl.
Marco A P
MA
Heerings
van Lieshout Arbo Advies, PO Box 325, Uden, 5400 AH, The Netherlands. irma@vanlieshoutarboadvies.nl.
Irma
I
van Lieshout
MS4 Research Institute, Ubbergseweg 34, Nijmegen, 6522 KJ, The Netherlands. p.j.h.jongen@umcg.nl.|Department of Community & Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Ant. Deusinglaan 1, PO Box 30001, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands. p.j.h.jongen@umcg.nl.
Peter J
PJ
Jongen
University Medical Centre Groningen, Centre for Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.002, Haren, 9750 RA, The Netherlands. m.f.reneman@umcg.nl.
Michiel F
MF
Reneman
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo Scientific Center for Care and Welfare, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, Tilburg, 5000 LE, The Netherlands. J.J.L.vdrKlink@uvt.nl.
Jac J L
JJ
van der Klink
University of Humanistic Studies, PO Box 797, Utrecht, 3500 AT, The Netherlands. F.Vosman@uvh.nl.
Frans
F
Vosman
Department of Psychology, Section Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, Leiden, 2300 RB, The Netherlands. h.a.m.middelkoop@lumc.nl.|Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands. h.a.m.middelkoop@lumc.nl.
Huub A M
HA
Middelkoop
Department of Neurology, St. Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, PO Box 90151, Tilburg, 5000 LC, The Netherlands. l.visser@elisabeth.nl.|University of Humanistic Studies, PO Box 797, Utrecht, 3500 AT, The Netherlands. l.visser@elisabeth.nl.
Leo H
LH
Visser
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D004651:Employment; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D009426:Netherlands; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult