6th Edition of Neurology World Conference 2026

Abstract

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that is usually diagnosed at the working age (20-45 years) and can negatively affect patients’ job performance and ability in work. The purpose of this study was to investigate occupational, individual, and disease-related factors in the return to work in patients with MS.

Materials and Methods: This study was performed on all patients with clinically definite MS according to the McDonald criteria who were referred to a neurology clinic from September 2019 to April 2020. The Health and Safety Executive Questionnaire and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory Questionnaire assessed job stress and fatigue levels. The level of disability was set in patients through the validated version of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Based on the patient’s return to work status, individuals were divided into two groups: those who returned to work (full-time, part-time) and those who did not return to work. Then, these two groups were compared in terms of occupational, individual, and disease-related factors.

Results: Of 191 patients with MS, 127 (64%) returned to work after one year of diagnosis. The rate of returning to work was higher among younger patients, males, and patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Physical jobs, moderate level of neurological disability (EDSS >3), and severe fatigue were independently associated with unemployment.

Conclusion: The findings of our study showed that older age, female gender, having a physical job, neurological disability, and severe fatigue were associated with no return to work in MS patients. Due to the high prevalence of MS in young people at working age, facilitating employment, adjusting factors related to the work environment, and supporting colleagues and supervisors can play an important role in reducing stress and improving the general condition of the disease in these patients.