OBJECTIVES: To describe and characterize the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on work productivity and activity impairment of individuals with active and nonactive primary and secondary progressive MS (PPMS and SPMS).

METHODS: The Adelphi Disease Specific Programme captured work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) questionnaires from adults with active or nonactive PPMS or SPMS in the United States during the annual cross-sectional survey between 2016 and 2021. Absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work productivity loss, and activity impairment were calculated for patients who completed the WPAI by MS type, administration of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs), age, time since MS diagnosis, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score. Overall work productivity loss incorporates both absenteeism and presenteeism. Higher percentages represent worse outcomes.

RESULTS: In this study, 278 people were employed and evaluated (229 PPMS; 49 SPMS). The mean age was 43.4 (standard deviation=8.4) years, 49.3% were female, and 82.7% were White. Absenteeism, presenteeism, and work productivity loss was 3.1%, 35.2%, and 36.9% for PPMS and 3.0%, 29.0%, and 30.7% for SPMS, respectively. Activity impairment was 52.6% for PPMS (n=583) and 52.9% for SPMS (n=166). Presenteeism and overall work productivity loss were slightly elevated among younger individuals (aged 20–29), while activity impairment was elevated among individuals aged ≥60 years (66.0% vs 42.2–55.2% in other age groups). Overall work productivity loss was similar across DMTs and no DMTs (35.0–36.3%). Activity impairment was also similar across DMTs and no DMTs (52.0–53.9%). Work productivity loss was highest at 5–10 years since MS diagnosis (39.9%), while activity impairment was highest at >15 years since MS diagnosis (62.7%). Work productivity loss and activity impairment increased with higher EDSS scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights substantial overall work productivity loss and activity impairment among individuals with active and nonactive PPMS and SPMS, demonstrating the high disease burden.