Predictors of clinically significant anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis: A one-year follow-up study

Background: Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are frequent in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Although anxiety has a well-recognized negative influence on family, work and social life, it has received less attention than depression. Thus, it is still under debate which risk factors can predict anxiety, its evolution over time and the extent of its effect on disability progression.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to identify potential demographic, clinical and self-reported predictors that contribute to clinically significant anxiety at one-year follow up, measured by the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Methods: Data was acquired from a cohort of 608 subjects with MS, and included domains potentially meaningful for clinically significant anxiety. Associations between each variable and clinically significant anxiety at one-year follow-up were assessed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: Lower educational level, relapsing-remitting disease course, presence of clinically significant anxiety at baseline, higher depression and fatigue perception were significant predictors for clinically significant anxiety at one-year follow up.

Conclusion: Findings confirm the importance of identifying risk factors for clinically significant anxiety in predicting prognosis and planning early intervention.