Psychiatric comorbidity in multiple sclerosis

Aim: To study the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients of multiple sclerosis and their association to the degree of disability.

Method: Psychiatric symptoms were assessed in 90 patients of multiple sclerosis using GHQ-12, MMSE, HADS, Beck Depression Inventory and AUDIT. Neurological disability was assessed using Expanded Disability Status Scale. Correlations were determined between EDSS scores and psychiatric scale scores.

Result: 61% of patients had significant psychological distress. Depression was most common (38.8%) which was followed by anxiety symptoms (27.8%). Cognitive functioning was relatively intact in patients with mild to moderate neurological disability. Alcohol abuse was mostly restricted to male gender.

Conclusion: Psychiatric illness is highly prevalent in patients of multiple sclerosis leading to poor quality of life and significant distress. Psychiatric disability was higher in patients who had greater deterioration in neurological function. All cases of MS should be assessed for psychiatric morbidities as can be alleviated by appropriate intervention.