Impact of depression on multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Introduction: Although depression is the most frequent psychiatric disorder presenting in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, few studies have examined the impact of depression on patients' views about their MS treatment. Aim of the study: assess patients' views of the impact of MS on their daily lives and current needs in MS management, and the relationship between these perceptions and the presence or absence of depression. Materials and methods: In all, 270 adult patients with MS took part in this study. Depression was assessed according to ICD-10 criteria. The impact of MS on patients' social, work, domestic activities and family life, as well as patients' views on how their MS treatment could be made more effective, were assessed by original questionnaire. Results: Depression was present in 20.7% of patients, with a similar prevalence between the sexes. Patients who indicated that MS interfered with their family life were at significantly increased risk of depression (<0.001). Patients who identified the need to pay more attention to MS, and to include more medications in reimbursement lists, as factors that would improve the management of MS, were more likely to be diagnosed with depression. Conclusions: The negative impact of MS on family life is an important factor contributing to the risk of depression. Patients identified the amount of attention paid to MS, and the inclusion of more medications in reimbursement lists, as important in improving the management of MS.