Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently experience depression and anxiety, which can negatively impact their quality of life and adherence to therapy. These symptoms also increase as the illness progresses. Aim: To detect the prevalence of depression and anxiety among multiple sclerosis patients. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study of 154 patients who were diagnosed with MS from the MS Unit of Al-Azhar University hospitals (Al-Hussien and Bab El-Shaeria) from January 2023 to June 2023. The recruited patients were interviewed by semi-structured clinical interview and assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT), and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results: The current study included 154 patients; their ages ranged between 26-58 years. Most of them, 70%, have depression, While 54.9% have anxiety. There was a statistically significant association between depression, anxiety being not working, having a high lesion load, a higher number of relapses, and greater disability. Moreover, the current study found a significant positive correlation between depression and anxiety scores and duration of illness, number of relapses in the last two years, Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and a significant negative correlation between depression and anxiety scores and time from onset of neurological symptoms till diagnosis of MS. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety among MS patients in our study are in an elevated level, clinicians should pay more attention to the symptoms of anxiety and depression in this population.