Depression and associated demographic factors' correlation in Multiple Sclerosis patients

Introduction: Depression is the most common mental disorder in patients with multiple sclerosis which is along with disability, disease recurrence and enormous economic burden. Hence, this study was designed to examine rates of depression in multiple sclerosis patients and relationship between depression and associated factors.

Materials & Methods: A descriptive study was carried out on a total of 110 multiple sclerosis patients from Iran MS Society applying selected convenient method. Data collection was conducted applying a questionnaire with both individual and disease characteristics related questions as well as the beck depression scale (BDI). The SPSS 16 software version and descriptive inferential statistics were used analyzing data.

Results: The data showed that 6% of multiple sclerosis patients had no depression, and the rest had suffered depression, ranged from mild (46%), moderate (26%) and severe (22%). Examination of the applied variables showed a significant difference for depression associated with education level, frequent disease recurrence and family economic status (p <0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed a high rate depression in multiple sclerosis patients which could jeopardize patients health. Hence, a timely diagnosis is recommended for depression treatment through psychiatric periodically examinations.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Depression; Demographic factors