title: Predictors of depression in multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: Depression is one of the major problems associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Several physical and psychological factors tend to interact and make it difficult to pinpoint the predictors of the depression. It seemed particularly important to examine how anxiety and illness evolution (characterized by the functional status) influence the appearance of depression symptoms. Thus, the aim of this article was to clarify the relationship between depression and the factors associated with it. One hundred and fifteen participants living at home recruited through various associations and MS clinics answered socio demographic, medical and psychological questions and questionnaires (depression, anxiety, coping, social support, locus of control, alexithymia, self-esteem). Results show that functional status (EDSS), trait anxiety, alexithymia and satisfaction with social support system are the predicting factors of depression. Trait anxiety and functional status are two predictors that independently and simultaneously lead to the appearance of depression symptoms, with trait anxiety playing a predominant role. Alexithymia and social support indirectly influence the appearance of these symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Paris West Nanterre la Défense, Nanterre cedex, France. Marieclaire.gay@gmail.com
authors.forename: M-C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gay
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vrignaud
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garitte
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meunier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support