Dados do Trabalho

Título

Correlation between the degree of disability and depressive and anxious symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis

Resumo

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic multifactorial disease characterized by inflammation, demyelination and gliosis mainly in the white matter of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Among these individuals, depression and anxiety are quite common disorders, the former condition affecting up to 54% of patients, and can be caused and aggravated by several factors. Objective: To evaluate the association between the degree of disability and depressive and anxious symptoms in patients with MS. Method: Cross-sectional, single-center study conducted with patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis according to the 2017 McDonald criteria. The degree of disability was assessed using the Expanded Kurtzke Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Depressive and anxious symptoms, on the other hand, were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), which assesses the preexistence of anxiety and depression separately through 14 questions. The score for each modality ranges from 0-21, where: 0-7 unlikely, 8-11 possible, 12-21 likely. Results: We evaluated 196 patients, of which 70.5% were diagnosed as unlikely, 16.7% as possible and 12.9% as probable for depression. And for anxiety 50.5% had unlikely diagnosis, 31.5% possible diagnosis and 18.6% probable diagnosis. The mean EDSS among the participants was 2.60(+- 2.39). Kruskal-wallis test was performed between the groups categorized by HAD scale previously mentioned and there was difference of median EDSS between depression groups[X²(3) = 9.58; p<0.01] and Pairwise comparison showed the difference was found between Improbable-Probable groups[p adjusted<0.05]. Whereas among anxious symptoms, no difference in degree of disability was found between the groups [X²(3) = 1.23; p>0.05] Conclusion: Through the results of the study, it is possible to conclude that there is a difference in the degree of disability between patients with a probable diagnosis of depression and patients with an unlikely diagnosis. However, it is not possible to state that there is any difference in the degree of disability regarding the anxious symptoms of patients with multiple sclerosis.