Author Of 2 Presentations
P1028 - Evolution of Mental Health in Multiple Sclerosis: a longitudinal perspective (ID 883)
Abstract
Background
The uncertainty of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression can affect the psychological well-being of patients.
Objectives
To study possible changes in general mental health and its domains in a sample of people with MS (PwMS) over a period of time.
Methods
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.
Results
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).
Conclusions
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.
P1042 - Mental Health in Multiple Sclerosis: influence of clinical and demographic variables (ID 886)
Abstract
Background
Clinical and demographic factors can influence psychological well-being of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
Objectives
To study possible differences in general mental health and its domains based on clinical and demographic patient characteristics
Methods
The sample was composed of 391 individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. In order to find mental health differences related to clinical and demographic characteristics, the overall sample was divided into two groups according to MS duration since diagnosis (≤133 months vs ≥134 months), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (≤3.5 EDSS vs ≥4 EDSS), MS type (progressive type vs relapsing-remitting), sex (male vs female) and age (≤44 years vs ≥45 years). General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was administered for measuring mental health. Differences mean scores between groups were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U Test, as data was not normally distributed.
Results
Related to clinical variables the following significant differences were found. Shorter MS duration group (≤ 133 months) presented higher scores in: somatic symptoms (p=0.009), anxiety and insomnia subscales (p=0.007), and General GHQ-28 score (p=0.010). Somatic symptoms (p=0.013), anxiety and insomnia (p=0.045), severe depression (p<0.001), social dysfunction subscales (p<0.001), and General GHQ-28 score (p=0.001) were greater in the high MS severity group (≥ 4 EDSS level). Progressive MS type group showed higher mean score just in severe depression subscale (p=0.005). Related to demographic variables, higher mean scores were observed somatic symptoms subscale (p=0.001) and General GHQ-28 (p=0.046) in the female group, and any difference associated to age were statistically significant.
Conclusions
Short MS duration, high MS severity, progressive MS type, and being women are factors related to a diminished psychological well-being.