Multiple sclerosis relapses and depression

Moore, Phil, Hirst, Claire Louise, Harding, Katharine, Clarkson, Hannah, Pickersgill, Trevor and Robertson, Neil ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5409-4909 2012. Multiple sclerosis relapses and depression. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 73 (4) , pp. 272-276. 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.08.004

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Abstract

Objective The expression of clinically significant depression symptoms during and post multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse was investigated. The point prevalence of possible depression during a confirmed MS relapse and at 2 and 6 months post-relapse was examined and the influence of disability on the time course of depression symptoms post-relapse determined. Methods 132 sequential patients were recruited from an open access relapse clinic. Clinical data including disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale: EDSS) and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression subscale: HADS-D) were recorded at 0, 2 and 6 months post-relapse. Results Prevalence of possible depression (HADS-D score of ≥ 8) was 44.5% during relapse, reducing to 29.2% at 2 months and 34.4% at 6 months post-relapse. HADS-D scores were significantly lower at follow-up than during relapse. Possible depression at relapse was significantly related to a higher likelihood of possible depression at 2 month follow-up (OR 12.12) and improvement in EDSS was related to a lower likelihood (OR 0.51). EDSS at relapse (OR 1.47) and possible depression at relapse (OR 11.87) were significantly associated with possible depression 6 months post-relapse. Conclusions High rates of possible depression were observed during relapse. Although depression scores reduced significantly post-relapse, rates of possible depression at follow-ups remained high. The results suggest that although improvements in disability may influence depression symptoms over the short-term, once depression symptoms are elevated at relapse then depression symptoms become persistent. Further studies are required on the relationship between relapses and depression and whether targeted psychological interventions are beneficial.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG) Medicine
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	multiple sclerosis, relapse, depression
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0022-3999
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2023 06:18
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/41238

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