Background: Several psychosocial risk factors or multiple sclerosis (MS) related biological processes can predispose MS patients to depression and/or anxiety which can negatively affect different aspects of life. In this study, we aim to investigate depression and anxiety prevalence in MS patients in the western region of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among MS patients. An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed in a Google form to MS patients in different MS social media groups. The questionnaire contained sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and an assessment of the anxiety and depression prevalence using the patient health and generalized anxiety disorder questionnaires in Arabic language. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were performed.
Results: A total of 119 participants were included in this study, with a median age of 33. About 69% were females and 46% were employed. Most MS patients were diagnosed 1 to 10 years ago (61%), with 88% who did not have comorbidities. Only 15% had relapsing-remitting type, and 10% had progressive relapsing type. The prevalence of anxiety was 53.7(95% CI: 0.444-0.629) and depression was 68.9% (95% CI: 0. 5967-0. 7690). The younger age of MS patients was associated with depression (p = 0.012).
Conclusion: The prevalence of depression and anxiety among MS patients was 68.9% and 53.7%, which indicates a high psychiatric comorbidity that may negatively affect their quality of life, adding to the burden of physical fatigue and neurological disability. Psychiatric well-being in the management of MS is paramount, besides managing neurological deficits and physical comorbidities.
Key words: Multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, Saudi Arabia
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