A survey conducted by the French League against Multiple Sclerosis (LFSEP) reveals that three quarters of people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) consider that their disease has a significant impact on their professional activity.
MS: disabling symptoms at work
MS, a chronic disease and leading cause of disability among young people, affects 90,000 people in France. This chronic and progressive disease, which generally appears between the ages of 20 and 40, causes many disabling symptoms (visual, motor, sensory, urinary, cognitive, etc.), especially at work.
The World Multiple Sclerosis Dayon May 27, was an opportunity for the French League against MS to conduct a survey of 1,010 people with the disease in order to better understand their employment situation.
The volunteers responded to a questionnaire on the Internet from April 23 to May 18, 2015 on their working conditions, their relations with their colleagues and the support they receive.
92% of MS patients are employed after diagnosis
Results: 92% of respondents worked after the diagnosis was announced. However, less than one patient out of two (48%) talks about their multiple sclerosis at work, before being prompted by the appearance of the first symptoms, 5 years after the diagnosticon average.
The announcement of the disease in the professional environment can indeed be difficult for people with multiple sclerosis because the pathology is relatively unknown to the general public. A non-negligible part of the patients thus chooses never to announce it. 18% do not tell the human resources manager, 12% to their line manager, 11% to their colleagues and 9% to the occupational physician.
However, other people decide to bring up the subject: 37% talk about it to their line manager, 36% to their colleagues, 35% to the occupational physician and 23% to the human resources manager.
1 patient out of 5 benefits from an adaptation of the workstation
In the workplace, workstation adaptation is frequent but not systematic. One patient in five (19%) does not benefit from special adjustments despite bothersome symptoms and when his hierarchy is aware of his illness.
However, these adjustments are necessary because of the fatigue induced by the disease, motor disorders, pain and cognitive disorders.
Appropriate working conditions for 79% of patients
79% of people with MS see their working conditions adapted to the disease. 45% work part-time, 33% benefit from an adjustment of their working hours, 25% from a reduction in their travel, 25% from an adjustment of their workstation, 7% from transport assistance to the workplace and 6% of a share of telework.
The tools to keep the sick in employment are not enough
Many structures allow patients to access and remain in employment (Departmental center for disabled people, human resources department, etc.). 72% of people with MS use at least one of them.
As for assistive devices, 75% of MS patients have used at least one of them. For disabled workers, their usefulness is greater than the structures mentioned above: 56% of them have had access to them and find them very useful.
However, these accompaniments are not enough: one patient out of 10 declares that they no longer work while they still feel able to do so. The cessation of professional activity generally takes place 9 years after the diagnosis. This survey highlights the need for publicize MS to the general public, to better support people with the disease in their employment and to better inform them about the tools available to them.
Source :
– OpinionWay survey – French League against multiple sclerosis
Read also :
– Multiple sclerosis: a treatment soon to be available?
– Multiple sclerosis: 4 cups of coffee a day reduce the risk
