Predictors of clinically significant anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis: A one-year follow-up study

Abstract

Background: Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are frequent in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Although anxiety has a well-recognized negative influence on family, work and social life, it has received less attention than depression. Thus, it is still under debate which risk factors can predict anxiety, its evolution over time and the extent of its effect on disability progression. Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to identify potential demographic, clinical and self-reported predictors that contribute to clinically significant anxiety at one-year follow up, measured by the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Methods: Data was acquired from a cohort of 608 subjects with MS, and included domains potentially meaningful for clinically significant anxiety. Associations between each variable and clinically significant anxiety at one-year follow-up were assessed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results: Lower educational level, relapsing-remitting disease course, presence of clinically significant anxiety at baseline, higher depression and fatigue perception were significant predictors for clinically significant anxiety at one-year follow up. Conclusion:Findings confirm the importance of identifying risk factors for clinically significant anxiety in predicting prognosis and planning early intervention.

Fatigue, Depression, and Anxiety Among Ambulating Multiple Sclerosis Patients

“…This suggests that patients in our cohort were more likely to be anxious rather than depressed. The findings of this study are in accordance with previously published research ( 10 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 37 ) but are contradicted by some others ( 7 , 11 , 12 , 14 ). In agreement with this study’s findings, for instance, a study conducted in the neighboring United Arab Emirates reported that depression and anxiety were present among 17% and 20% of patients with MS respectively ( 10 ).…”

Mind wandering in people with Multiple Sclerosis: A psychometric study

“…Since the ability to think about what is not happening is a cognitive achievement that comes at an emotional cost 7 , learning how to monitor and accept present moment experience, as in mindfulness interventions, could help to enhance attentional control and thus reduce MW and emotion dysregulation 38 . Accordingly, consistent evidence indicates that mindfulness based therapy could help PwMS by focusing on the present instead of the future and by increasing self-monitoring and awareness of their own body, which may lead to a significant reduction in psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression, and improved self-care 5,12 .…”

“…According to the Five-Factor Model taxonomy 2 , evidence indicates that PwMS showed lower levels of conscientiousness (i.e., extent to which a person is task-oriented, achievement-striving and organized), extraversion (i.e., dependence on external stimulation for arousal and tendency to be outgoing and sensation seeking), openness (i.e., tendency to be intellectually curious, creative and imaginative) and agreeableness (i.e., proclivity for social cooperation, honesty, and altruism), as well as higher levels of neuroticism (i.e., stress reactivity or emotional responsiveness to challenge, and proclivity for negative mood states) than healthy controls 3 . Furthermore, these personality traits are often associated with mood and psychological well-being in MS population 3,5 .…”

“…Symptoms may be ambiguous, with a variety of clinical manifestations, leading people to mind wander about their source and possible evolution, and thus affect work and social roles 5 . In most cases, this may upset their identities and self-confidence, generate psychological problems and thus lead to the continuation of involvement in rumination 12 .…”

Physiotherapists perceived role in managing anxiety in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a mixed-methods study

“…Around 85% of People with MS (PwMS) will be diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) at onset, characterised by unpredictable periods of stability (remission) and relapse of symptoms [ 3 ]. A recent study found that a relapsing-remitting disease course is a significant predictor for clinically significant anxiety [ 4 ]. As many as 66% of people with RRMS report having anxiety [ 5 ] with greater prevalence in community-based samples [ 6 ].…”