A Dutch validation study of the Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
Creators: name: van Egmond, Elianne
name: van Gorp, Dennis
name: Honan, Cynthia
name: Heerings, Marco
name: Jongen, Peter
name: van der Klink, Jac
name: Reneman, Michiel
name: Beenakker, Ernesto
name: Frequin, Stephan
name: de Gans, Koen
name: Hengstman, Gerald
name: Hoitsma, Elske
name: Mostert, Jop
name: Verhagen, Wim
name: Zemel, Désirée
name: Middelkoop, Huub
name: Visser, Leo
name: van der Hiele, Karin
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2019
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Science Policy
subject: Mental Health

description: The current study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire-23 (MSWDQ-23). Two hundred and thirty-nine employed persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 59 healthy controls completed the MSWDQ-23. To verify the factor structure, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. To assess construct validity, the MSWDQ-23 scores were correlated to measures of physical disability, fatigue, cognitive and neuropsychiatric problems, depression, health-related quality of life, and work-related variables. MSWDQ-23 scores were compared within different age groups, gender, education levels, and job types. Predictive validity was assessed using a logistic regression analysis to predict a deterioration in employment status after one year based on MSWDQ-23 scores. The internal consistency of the MSWDQ-23 was acceptable (<i>α</i> = 0.913, 95% CI = 0.897–0.928) and the results indicated a fair fit. The MSWDQ-23 showed acceptable construct validity, confirming 94% of the hypotheses. The total scale and the psychological/cognitive subscale were able to predict a deterioration in employment status after one year (<i>χ</i><sup>2</sup>(1)=18.164, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). The Dutch version of the MSWDQ-23 is a valid and internally consistent instrument to measure self-reported work difficulties in persons with MS.Implications for rehabilitationThe Dutch version of the 23-item Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire (MSWDQ-23) is a reliable and valid tool to measure self-reported work difficulties in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).More psychological and cognitive work difficulties are predictive of a deteriorated employment status after one year.The MSWDQ-23 is a helpful tool for researchers and (occupational) health professionals to identify current work difficulties in persons with MS and identify persons at risk for a deterioration in employment one year later. The Dutch version of the 23-item Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire (MSWDQ-23) is a reliable and valid tool to measure self-reported work difficulties in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). More psychological and cognitive work difficulties are predictive of a deteriorated employment status after one year. The MSWDQ-23 is a helpful tool for researchers and (occupational) health professionals to identify current work difficulties in persons with MS and identify persons at risk for a deterioration in employment one year later.