Correlation between fatigue and self-esteem in patients with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the possible association of fatigue with self-esteem in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.


METHODS
Thirty patients were prospectively assessed. None of them presented moderate or severe depression or anxiety and their degree of disability was low (EDSS<or=3.5). They had been clinically stable for at least three months and had been receiving the same medication for at least six months. Socioeconomic level was assessed. Severity of fatigue and self-esteem were evaluated using specific, validated scales. Patients with moderate to severe anxiety and/or depression were excluded.


RESULTS
Low self-esteem correlated with fatigue (p=0.01), but not with any other variables, such as age, gender, EDSS, MS duration, number of relapses, mild depression and/or anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
Greater severity of fatigue in MS correlates with low self-esteem, thus suggesting that this chronic complaint that affects so many patients can interfere with the way in which they see and value themselves.
Neurology Department, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos SP, Brazil. yara@bsnet.com.br
Yára Dadalti
YD
Fragoso
Erika Oliveira da
EO
Silva
Alessandro
A
Finkelsztejn
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult