Abstract
Objectives:
The objectives were to understand the employment impacts of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein–associated antibody disease (MOGAD) on adults in an international cohort by determining lost employment, work hours, and wages.
Background:
Clinically, MOGAD can be associated with significant disability; however, its socioeconomic consequences for adults are barely reported.
Methods:
Participants of potential working age (18–70 years old) with neurologist-diagnosed MOGAD were recruited from clinical sites in 13 countries, April 2022 to August 2023. Each participant completed a one-time survey. Regression models assessed associations with post-MOGAD (1) unemployment and (2) work hours.
Results:
A total of 117 participants (66.7% female), mean age 39.7 years, median disease duration 3 years (25th, 75th percentile: 1, 7) were analyzed. Employment post-MOGAD reduced from 74 (63.2%) to 57 (48.7%) participants. Participants employed pre-diagnosis reduced their work hours, on average, from 31.6 hours/week to 19.5 hours/week post-diagnosis. Residence in a high-income country was statistically significantly associated with post-diagnosis employment and higher weekly work hours. Depressed mood was associated with unemployment. MOGAD-related pain and history of myelitis were independently associated with lost work hours.
Conclusion:
MOGAD can have significant impacts on adult employment, particularly in non–high-income countries. Depressed mood and pain are potentially modifiable factors related to socioeconomic status in MOGAD.
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Supplementary Material
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