Sources and level of income among individuals with multiple sclerosis compared to the general population: A nationwide population-based study

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis Vol. 21; no. 13; pp. 1730 - 1741
• Main Authors: Wiberg, Michael, Friberg, Emilie, Stenbeck, Magnus, Alexanderson, Kristina, Norlund, Anders, Hillert, Jan, Tinghög, Petter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.11.2015; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Disabled Persons; Female; Humans; Income; Male; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis - economics; Pensions; Registries; Salaries and Fringe Benefits; Social Security; Sweden; Unemployment; Young Adult; Sweden; Multiple sclerosis; earnings; disability pension; social assistance; unemployment compensation; sick leave; disability allowance
• ISSN: 1352-4585; 1477-0970; 1477-0970
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458515570767

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with reduced work capacity, but there is limited knowledge about MS patients’ sources of income. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate MS patients’ earnings and social benefits compared to those of the general population. Methods: From nationwide registers of all residents in Sweden aged 21–64 years in 2010 (n=5,291,764), those with an MS diagnosis (n=13,979) were compared to a propensity score matched reference group (n=69,895). Descriptive statistics and regression models were used to estimate the percentage difference between the MS patients and the matched references regarding the following annual incomes: earnings, disability pension, sickness absence, disability allowance, unemployment compensation and social assistance. Results: Both MS patients and the matched references received most of their income from earnings followed by disability pension and sickness absence. MS patients that were diagnosed in 2010 had 15% lower earnings than the matched references, while MS patients diagnosed before 2005 had 38% lower earnings. Corresponding figures regarding summed social benefits were 33% and 130% higher for MS patients, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that MS patients are overrepresented, in relative and absolute terms, regarding health-related benefits and have lower levels of earnings. However, the redistributing welfare systems appear to financially compensate the MS patients considerably.