Cognitive impairment among patients with multiple sclerosis: associations with employment and quality of life

Abstract

BICAMS provides a sensitive and easy to administer screening test for cognitive impairment within the outpatient setting. Cognitive impairment is common in our cohort of patients with MS attending outpatients and appears to be associated with increased rates of unemployment and lower measures of QOL.

Cognitive impairment as one of the important non‐motor symptoms in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

“…34 These data suggest that NEDA status does not preclude cognitive deterioration, and cognitive evaluation should be included in the NEDA composite measure. 35,36 Also, cognitive impairment seen at the time of MS diagnosis increases the risk of changing vocational status within 7 years. 4 One area in which this negative effect is very apparent is the patient's employment situation.…”

“…4 One area in which this negative effect is very apparent is the patient's employment situation. 36 Furthermore, it was reported that the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) was the most significant predictor of unemployment among patients with MS. 35 Cognitive difficulties also hamper disease management, including decision-making, medication adherence, symptom control and rehabilitation benefit. 35,36 Also, cognitive impairment seen at the time of MS diagnosis increases the risk of changing vocational status within 7 years.…”

“…35,36 Also, cognitive impairment seen at the time of MS diagnosis increases the risk of changing vocational status within 7 years. 35 Cognitive function is, of course, an important issue for patients with MS, but it can affect their relationships with family members. 36 Furthermore, it was reported that the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) was the most significant predictor of unemployment among patients with MS. 35 Cognitive difficulties also hamper disease management, including decision-making, medication adherence, symptom control and rehabilitation benefit.…”

“…In fact, patients with MS who were unemployed or had reduced working hours showed a greater level of cognitive impairment than patients with MS who remained employed or maintained their working hours. 35,36 Also, cognitive impairment seen at the time of MS diagnosis increases the risk of changing vocational status within 7 years. 37 Deficits in processing speed, immediate and delayed recall, and executive functions were frequently seen in unemployed patients with MS compared with those in employed patients.…”

Living with multiple sclerosis: A Jordanian perspective

“…Studies have also found that psychosocial factors such as lower coping, negative mood, reduced self-efficacy, and decreased perceived support effect their life and eventually lead to reduced quality of life in people with MS (Farran, Ammar, & Darwish, 2016). In addition, several studies have found that neuropsychiatric complications such as cognitive impairments and fatigue have major effect on their life (Campbell, Rashid, Cercignani, & Langdon, 2017). In general, the disease characteristics in terms of disabling physical symptoms augmented by the psychological and neuropsychiatric complications often makes this population feel isolated, deprived, and perceived as being stigmatized.…”