#ECTRIMS2016 – Cognitive Problems in MS Patients Linked to Lower Income, Study Reports

Patricia Inacio, PhD avatar

by Patricia Inacio, PhD |

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MS and cognitive problems

In a recent talk, titled ā€œIncome and cognitive impairment among multiple sclerosis patients,ā€ scientists investigated how cognitive impairmentĀ impacts the life of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and reported significant differences in incomeĀ that correlated with levels of MS-cognitive deficit.

These findingsĀ were recently presented at the 32nd Congress of theĀ European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple SclerosisĀ (ECTRIMS),Ā taking place in London onĀ Sept. 14ā€“17,Ā byĀ a group of scientists from theĀ Neuroscience Department of Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Patients with MS often experienceĀ cognitive impairment, with estimates pointing to a prevalence of 40% to 70%. Not surprisingly, MS patientsā€™ cognitive abilities,Ā such as memory and attention,Ā can be affected. This means that beyond the physical impact of the disease, MS patientsā€™ social structure is also impacted, includingĀ employment.

Researchers analyzed the sources and levels of income among MS patients in relation to cognitive impairment. The cross-sectional study was performed using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), previously shown to have high sensitivity in detecting not only the presence of brain damage but also changes in cognitive functioning over time (and even in response to treatment). A cross-sectional study is a type of observational study that involves the analysis of data collected from a population, or a representative subset, at one specific point in time.

The teamĀ specifically linked data from the Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Register to statistical data registered at the Statistics Sweden. In total, the study included 2,080 MS patients, ages 21 to 64, living in Sweden and having a SDMT performed recently.

Researchers foundĀ that MS patients in the highest quartile (SDMT 62āˆ’110) had an annual income more than twice that ofĀ patients in the lowest quartile (SDMT 6āˆ’44). Patients in the lowest quartile, however, got three times more income through social benefits in comparison toĀ patients in the highest quartile. These differences remained statistically significant in different analysis.

“Cognitive function affects the financial situation of MS patients considerably. Correlations between higher cognitive impairment and patient income were observed (negative for the earnings and positive for the benefits),” the authors wrote in the congress’ abstract.