The prevalence of comorbidities in patients with multiple sclerosis: population-based registry data

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the lifetime and point prevalence of major depression in a population-based Multiple Sclerosis (MS) clinic sample, and to describe associations between selected biopsychosocial variables and the prevalence of lifetime major depression in this sample. Subjects who had participated in an earlier study were re-contacted for additional data collection. Eighty-three per cent (n=136) of those eligible consented to participate. Each subject completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and an interviewer-administered questionnaire evaluating a series of biopsychosocial variables. The lifetime prevalence of major depression in this sample was 22.8%, somewhat lower than previous estimates in MS clinic populations. Women, those under 35, and those with a family history of major depression had a higher prevalence. Also, subject reporting high levels of stress and heavy ingestion of caffeine (>400 mg) had a higher prevalence of major depression. As this was a cross-sectional analysis, the direction of causal effect for the observed associations could not be determined. By identifying variables that are associated with lifetime major depression, these data generate hypotheses for future prospective studies. Such studies will be needed to further understand the etiology of depressive disorders in MS.

Download Full-text

Re: Testicular Cancer Incidence to Rise by 25% in Europe? Model-Based Predictions in 40 Countries Using Population-Based Registry Data

The Journal of Urology ◽

10.1016/j.juro.2014.10.007 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 193 (1) ◽

pp. 129-130

Author(s):

Jerome P. Richie

Keyword(s):

Testicular Cancer ◽

Cancer Incidence ◽

Population Based ◽

Registry Data ◽

Model Based ◽

Population Based Registry

Download Full-text

Anxiety and depression in multiple sclerosis. A comparative population-based study in Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458509351542 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 1495-1501 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Ole-Petter Dahl ◽

Eystein Stordal ◽

Stian Lydersen ◽

Rune Midgard

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

General Population ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Population Based ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Population ◽

Neuropsychiatric Manifestations ◽

Duration Of Disease ◽

Fatigue Severity ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Anxiety and depression are widely distributed symptoms among multiple sclerosis patients and in the general population. We assessed the prevalence of anxiety and depression in the multiple sclerosis population in Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway compared with Norway’s general population. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire was completed by 172 MS patients and 56,000 controls. A cut-off of ≥8 was used to define significant symptoms of anxiety and depression. Fatigue was measured using Krupp’s Fatigue Severity Scale, with a mean cut-off of >4. Among men, 31.1% of the multiple sclerosis patients reported anxiety, while only 12.1% of the control population reported this symptom ( p = 0.002). For women, the prevalence of anxiety was 29.7% versus 17.4% ( p < 0.001). Depression was reported by 26.2% of the men with multiple sclerosis compared with 10.8% of the controls ( p < 0.001). The corresponding figures for women were 25.2% versus 10.4% ( p < 0.001). Anxiety and depression were not correlated with duration of disease or disability measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Among women, fatigue was associated with anxiety ( p ≤ 0.010) and depression ( p = 0.007). No such association was found among men. Anxiety and depression occur more frequently in multiple sclerosis patients than in the general population. Fatigue was associated with these neuropsychiatric manifestations in only women.

Download Full-text