Fereshteh Ghadiri
1 
, Mohammad Ali Sahraian
1, Fereshteh Ashtari
2, Seyed Mohammad Baghbanian
3, Nastaran Majdi-Nasab
4, Hamidreza Hatamian
5, Fardin Faraji
6, Asghar Bayati
7, Ehsan Sharifipour
8, Nazanin Jalali
9, Hossein Mozhdehipanah
10, Hoda Kamali
11, Saeideh Ayoubi
1, Sharareh Eskandarieh
1* , Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi
1* 1 Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Department of Neurology, Booalicina Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
4 Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
5 Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
6 Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
7 Department of Neurology, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Shahrekord, Iran
8 Department of Neurology, Shohada Tajrish Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
9 Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
10 Department of Neurology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
11 Neurology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) may be affected by socioeconomic status (SES). This study aims to explore the determinants of SES among Iranian patients with MS and examine how these factors relate to disability and disease progression.
Methods: All patients with MS listed in the nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI) until January 8, 2022, were included in this population-based study.
Results: Among the 5153 patients, most were female (74.5%), married (70.8%), and did not hold an academic degree (53.8%). Unemployment (OR: 3.75) and being unmarried (OR: 2.60) were significantly associated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)≥6, and the time to progression was shorter in the unemployed group (P value: 0.03). There was also a significant negative correlation between the time to progression and the age at disease onset.
Conclusion: The study suggests that providing financial and social support to MS patients and their families through investment could reduce both individual and societal burdens.