Validation study of prevalence and correlates of depressive symptomatology in multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To validate previous research findings on the prevalence of and factors associated with depressive symptoms in a community-dwelling sample of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey study of 530 individuals with MS from Eastern Washington (EW) was conducted and compared to a previous cross-sectional survey study of 738 individuals with MS from Western Washington (WW). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and multivariate logistic regression was employed to detect related factors.


RESULTS
Prevalence of depressive symptoms was similar in both populations (EW 51%, WW 45%). Factors associated with a clinically significant level of depressive symptoms (CES-D > or =16) in both groups were greater disease severity, shorter disease duration, lower education and less social support (all P<.01). Lower age was also associated with a significant level of depressive symptoms in the WW but not in the EW sample.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite differences in disease-related and demographic factors, predictors of depressive symptoms were highly similar in both MS study populations.
Bamer
Alyssa M
AM
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Multiple Sclerosis, University of Washington, Box 356490, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. adigiaco@u.washington.edu
Cetin
Karynsa
K
Johnson
Kurt L
KL
Gibbons
Laura E
LE
Ehde
Dawn M
DM
D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011177:Postal Service; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology