Work Adjustments by Types of Occupations Amongst People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Survey Study

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the occurrence of work adjustments for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) across types of occupations (managerial, office, and manual workers).

Methods: All working-aged (20-50 years) residents in Sweden diagnosed with MS were invited to participate in a web-based survey in 2021. Responses were linked to individual-level nationwide registers. Descriptive analyses were conducted to compare sociodemographic and clinical variables across occupations as well as other responses. The odds ratio of having any adjustment at work was determined using multinomial logistic regression.

Results: From all 4412 respondents (52% response rate), 3313 employees were included. The majority were women (72%) and had low (24.2%) or mild disease severity (44.7%). Nevertheless, different work adjustments across occupations were observed. Compared to the other occupations, office workers reported more invisible symptoms, more work adjustments and considered adapted schedules as the most important adjustment. On the contrary, more managers reported having no limiting symptoms and consequently, disclosed their diagnosis less often. They also reported having fewer work adjustments and more opportunities to modify their work than office and manual workers. Manual workers had a higher likelihood to report needing more support at work than office workers and managers. Further, a higher likelihood of having work adjustments was associated with progressive MS, higher MS severity, and invisible symptoms.

Conclusion: A more severe clinical profile of MS was associated with having work adjustments. The physical demands and responsibilities of an occupation play an important role when requesting and getting work adjustments amongst employees with MS.

Keywords: Chronic disease; Multiple sclerosis; Occupations; Work adjustments.