The uncertainty of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression can affect the psychological well-being of patients.
To study possible changes in general mental health and its domains in a sample of people with MS (PwMS) over a period of time.
We prospectively studied 314 PwMS outpatient of Virgen Macarena University Hospital (213 women; 101 men, ages 19-78 years old (mean 45.3 years, SD 10.8 years). At baseline, Relapsing-Remitting MS was the predominantly reported MS subtype (n=272), followed by Secondary Progressive (n=34), and Primary Progressive (n=8) MS subtypes. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) mean score was 3.17 (SD=1.93) and mean MS duration was 145.68 months since diagnosis (SD= 89.56). Mental health was measured using General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) at baseline (T1), 2017-2018, and 18 months later (T2), 2018-2019. Changes in Mental Health from T1 to T2 were tested with the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test.
Somatic symptoms (p<0.0001), anxiety and insomnia (p=0.001), and severe depression (p<0.0001) subscales significantly decreased from T1 to T2. The social dysfunction subscale increased but did not reach statistical significance (p=0.649). General GHQ-28 score significantly decreased from T1 to T2 (p<0.0001).
PwMS reported a decrease in emotional distress symptoms over time. Despite MS progression, improvement in psychological well-being suggests a possible gradual adaptation to the disease. Further longitudinal research is needed to better understand mental health evolution in MS.