Predictors of changes in suicidality in multiple sclerosis over time.
OBJECTIVE
Studies show that suicidality is greater in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population. In this study, we evaluated the consistency of suicidality over time in patients with MS.


METHODS
Participants were patients (n = 344) at an outpatient clinic at a large medical center in New Jersey. Longitudinal data was collected as part of an ongoing research project. Binary logistic regression examined the effect of gender, age, depression and disability on level of suicidality at Time 1 versus Time 2.


RESULTS
Baseline depression and change in level of depression significantly predicted level of suicidality at Time 2, while demographic variables, baseline disability, change in level of disability, and the interaction between change in depression and change in disability over time did not.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions aimed at evaluating and monitoring depression over time should be considered in order to reduce the risk of suicidality. Implications for Rehabilitation Due to the inconsistency and unpredictability of MS, depression should be assessed routinely. Given the high prevalence of depression and suicidality in MS, mental health services should be available and encouraged by healthcare providers treating individuals with MS.
Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology , Bronx, NY , USA .
Sara
S
Flood
Frederick W
FW
Foley
Vance
V
Zemon
MaryAnn
M
Picone
Matthew
M
Bongardino
Helen
H
Quinn
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
Depression; multiple sclerosis; suicide