Depression and its Severity among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Introduction. As a psychopathological disorder, depression affects a lot of people with chronic neurological diseases and poor prognosis. It touches approximately 40–50% of patients with multiple sclerosis (SM). Depression may be a consequence of patients’ poor mobility caused by MS, the location of inflammation or side effects of phase 1 pharmacotherapy and immunomodulatory treatment. As experience shows, co-occurrence of MS with depression impairs rehabilitation, patients’ quality of life and their physical fitness.
Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of depression and its intensity as well as to analyse its relationship to patients’ everyday functioning and such sociodemographic factors as age and sex.
Material and Methods. 38 people with multiple sclerosis who were patients of Neurology Clinic in Cracow (both of the hospital ward and the hospital out-patient clinic) took part in a survey. It was carried out using diagnostic poll method and the analysis of documentation. Patients were asked to complete data collection tools such as Beck’s Scale, Katz Scale and sociodemographic inventory. Patients’ medical history and individual medical order sheets were also analysed. Then statistical calculations were performed.
Results. Depression symptoms vary in intensity. According to Beck’s scale results, 23.7% of patients were affected by minimal depression. Another 23.7% of respondents reported mild depression. Moderate and severe depression was observed in two equal groups — 7.9% of patients. Beck’s Scale and Katz Scale results correlation proved to be statistically insignificant (p=0.08). Age and sex were not related to the emotional state of the patients. However, detailed analysis of the data showed that young people (20–29 years old) do not suffer from depression symptoms.
Conclusions. Although multiple sclerosis patients may suffer from depression, its intensity varies. Young people do not feel negative emotions because they are not ill for a long time. (JNNN 2014;3(4):169–174)