The effect of cognitive status on work productivity and activities in multiple sclerosis

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of cognitive status on work productivity and activity in patients with Multiple Sklerose. This descriptive research was conducted between June and August 2019 in Istanbul Bilim University Sisli Florence Nightingale Hospital Neurology Clinic. The sample of this study consisted 144 patients who were aged 18 years old or older, who had a definite diagnosis of MS, had no other neurological disease and agreed to participate in the study. Sociodemographic, disease and occupational characteristics of the patients were recorded by questioning. Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS(BICAMS) was used to eveluate cognitive status, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI: MS) was used to eveluate work productivity and activities. It was determined that 69.4% of the patients included in the study were female patients and 42.4% were active. According to MS type, 81.2% of the patients had RRMS. The correlation analysis between the BICAMS subtest scores and the EDSS scores revealed a significant negative correlation. A significant positive correlation was found between the deterioration in non-work related activities and EDSS score. BICAMS subscale scores and disease-related non-work activities deterioration regression analysis were significant. Sub-test scores of BICAMS showed significant differences in variables such as age, education, disease duration, disease type, and smoking. BICAMS subtest scores of working patients were higher than non-working patients. Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis is very high common problem. It is very important that patients work together with health professionals to cope with the problems related to cognitive impairment that may experience in work and non-work activities. MS nurses are in a position to determine patients with cognitive dysfunction, educate patients and their families on ways to cope with cognitive deficits, and give advise to patients on available treatment options. Keywords: Multiple Sklerose, Cognitive status, Work productivity, Nursing