Trajectories of sickness absence and disability pension days among people with multiple sclerosis by type of occupation

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) can impact working life, sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP). Different types of occupations involve different demands, which may be associated with trajectories of SA/DP among people with MS (PwMS). OBJECTIVES: To explore, among PwMS and references, if SA/DP differ according to type of occupation. Furthermore, to examine how trajectories of SA/DP days are associated with type of occupation among PwMS. METHODS: A longitudinal nationwide Swedish register-based cohort study was conducted, including 6100 individuals with prevalent MS and 38,641 matched references from the population. Trajectories of SA/DP were identified with group-based trajectory modelling. Multinomial logistic regressions were estimated for associations between identified trajectories and occupations. RESULTS: Increase of SA/DP over time was observed in all occupational groups, in both PwMS and references, with higher levels of SA/DP among PwMS. The lowest levels of SA/DP were observed among managers. Three trajectory groups of SA/DP were identified: Persistently Low (55.2%), Moderate Increasing (31.9%) and High Increasing (12.8%). Managers and those working in Science & Technology, and Economics, Social & Cultural were more likely to belong to the Persistently Low group. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that type of occupation plays a role in the level and course of SA/DP.