Depression and multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The objective of the present study were (1) to ascertain the lifetime risk of a depression in a representative group of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, (2) to assess the morbidity risks for depression among first-degree relatives of these MS patients, and (3) to compare these familial risks for first-degree relatives of MS patients with those for first-degree relatives of a primary depression population, i.e., depression but no MS. We psychiatrically evaluated 221 MS patients (index cases) using a structured clinical interview for the DSM-III-R and calculated the rate and lifetime risk of depression for these index cases using the product limit estimate of survival function. We obtained psychiatric histories for all first-degree relatives of index cases, and we calculated morbidity risks for depression for these relatives using the maximum likelihood approach and compared the risks using the likelihood ratio tests. Index cases had a 50.3% lifetime risk of depression. Morbidity risks for depression among first-degree relatives of index cases were decidedly lower when compared with morbidity risks among first-degree relatives of the reference population. Although there appears to be a very high rate of depression among MS patients, the data for their first-degree relatives do not support a clear genetic basis for this depression, or at least the same genetic basis that probably operates within families when depression occurs in the absence of MS.

Adherence to First-Line Disease-Modifying Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis in Kuwait

“…6,[10][11][12][13][14] The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients discontinuing first-line DMTs and to identify the reasons for nonadherence.…”

Interdisciplinary Treatment of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Pain

“…With nearly two-thirds of patients in our study reporting depressive symptoms, it is imperative to address both pain and depression in MS patients. 9 Our data suggest that people with MS can benefit from participation in interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs like the Cleveland Clinic's CPRP. Although MS patients' pain and depression may differ from those of patients with other diseases, these conditions can be relieved.…”

“…7 Depression is also a common response in individuals with MS and pain. 8,9 A nationwide study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the prevalence of depression among all adults aged 18 years and older to be between 8.9% and 9.4%. 10 In large population studies of people with MS, the prevalence of major depression has varied between 26% and 51%.…”

“…10 In large population studies of people with MS, the prevalence of major depression has varied between 26% and 51%. 9 While some researchers propose that depression in MS is a result of experiencing a chronic debilitating disease, others suggest that depressive symptoms can be explained by neurologic damage to the CNS. 9 Regardless of the cause of depression, it is known that people with MS report three-to four-fold higher levels of depression than the general population.…”

Psychiatric manifestations of multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

“…Depression, as well as minor depressive symptoms and anxiety are the most commonly reported psychiatric manifestations [5] and [6].…”