Article

This study explores how employment is associated with perceived physical and
mental health status in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) adjusted for
sociodemographic and clinical variables stratified by age. The sample consisted
of 184 MS patients divided into a younger (<45 years) and an older (>/=45 years)
age group. Respondents underwent an interview, a neurological examination on
disability [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)], and completed the Short
Form-36 Health Survey. Of the respondents (mean age 40.5+/-6.2 years), 43.5% were
employed. Significant differences between younger and older patients were found
in employment, EDSS, disease duration, and five Short Form-36 Health Survey
dimensions. Block-step multiple regression explained 32.4% of the variance in
physical health and 14.5% in mental health in the younger group. Being employed
was significantly related to good physical health, whereas EDSS diminished the
effect of being employed on physical health. The most important variable for
mental health was employment status in the younger group. For the older age
group, 19.1% of the variance in physical health and 14.0% of the variance in
mental health was explained by the studied variables. Male gender and a lower
EDSS were significant explanatory variables of better physical health. Male
gender significantly explained mental health in the older age group. In
conclusion, employment status was an explanatory variable for physical health and
mental health in the younger patients. EDSS played a significant role in physical
health for all patients. A vocational rehabilitation program could prevent
eventual nonemployment and improve health outcomes in older MS people.

Langue : ANGLAIS