Phenotypes of Italian workers with disability: a cluster analysis on workers with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background While job maintaining/reintegrating are clearly complex issues in multiple sclerosis (MS), where many aspects (physical, psychological, relational and personal resources) can play a key role, they offer scope for potential interventions. This study aimed to identify and describe phenotypes of workers with MS considering specific work-related domains such as work-related difficulties, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and coping strategies. Methods A cross-sectional online survey on MS workers was conducted in Italy. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed by the Ward method followed by k-means cluster analysis. Results A total of 209 workers with MS were included in the analysis. We identified four phenotypes: phenotype 1 had low work difficulties, low depressive symptoms and mild anxiety, with a moderate tendency to use problem focus and positive attitude and a mild one to use social support as coping strategies (n = 82, 39.2%); phenotype 2 had low-to-mild work difficulties, mild anxiety and low depressive symptoms, with a high tendency to use positive attitude and religion, moderate problem focus and social support, and mild denial (n = 38, 18.7%); phenotype 3 had low-to-mild work difficulties, moderate anxiety and depressive symptoms, with a mild tendency to use problem focus, positive attitude, religion, social support, denial as coping strategies (n = 50, 23.9%); phenotype 4 had mild-to-moderate work difficulties, moderate anxiety and depressive symptoms, with a moderate tendency to use problem focus, positive attitude, and mild social support and denial as coping strategies (n = 39, 18.7%) Conclusions This explorative analysis aimed to find distinct workers with MS profiles in a working-age population based on work-related domains such as work-related difficulties, coping strategies, and psychological aspects. This could lead to a better tailoring of the vocational rehabilitation interventions for workers with MS. Key messages • This approach, in which different domains related to work are considered, could help to identify a taxonomy that recognizes distinct and predominant MS worker phenotypes. • Identification of subgroup MS workers, could result in better tailoring of the vocational rehabilitative interventions for people with MS.