Factors associated with self-reported work ability among people with multiple sclerosis in Sweden

Fitsum Sebsibe Teni; Alejandra Machado; Jessica Dervish; Katharina Fink; Hanna Gyllensten; Emilie Friberg

doi:10.1177/20552173241304324

Factors associated with self-reported work ability among people with multiple sclerosis in Sweden

Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2025 Jan 7;11(1):20552173241304324. doi: 10.1177/20552173241304324. eCollection 2025 Jan-Mar.

Authors

Fitsum Sebsibe Teni¹, Alejandra Machado¹, Jessica Dervish¹, Katharina Fink², Hanna Gyllensten³, Emilie Friberg¹

Affiliations

¹ Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
² Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
³ Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Abstract

Background: Work ability index (WAI) is an instrument that measures work ability in workplace surveys and health examinations in occupational health and research. It has been used in different population groups. But research is limited among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Objective: To determine the factors associated with work ability among PwMS in Sweden.

Methods: A total of 4103 PwMS who answered a web-based survey were included in the analysis. Work ability was assessed using the work ability score (WAS) component of WAI. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association of sociodemographic, clinical, and self-reported health variables with WAS.

Results: Just over half of the PwMS reported good (37.0%) or excellent (16.3%) WAS. The overall mean WAS was 6.9 (standard deviation = 2.8). Health-related quality of life (R-squared = 31.6%), fatigue (28.3%), occupation (22.6%), and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score (18.1%), explained the highest proportions of variation in WAS, individually. In the adjusted model, occupation, EDSS score, and fatigue had the strongest associations with WAS with significantly lower scores in those with no occupation, higher EDSS score, and severe fatigue levels.

Conclusion: Work ability among PwMS was lower than in the general population in Sweden. Occupation, EDSS score and fatigue were among the most important factors associated with work ability.

Keywords: EQ-5D; Expanded disability status scale; fatigue; work ability index; work ability score.