Patterns and predictors of naturally occurring change in depressive symptoms over a 30-month period in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Depressive symptoms are common in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet there is little information about the pattern and predictors of changes in depressive symptoms over time.


OBJECTIVE
We examined changes in depressive symptoms over a 30-month period and the demographic, clinical and behavioral predictors of such changes in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).


METHODS
269 persons with RRMS completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a demographic/clinical scale, Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) and Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scale every 6 months over a 30-month period. Data were analyzed using latent class growth modeling (LCGM).


RESULTS
LCGM identified a two-class model for changes in HADS depression scores over time. Class 1 involved lower initial status (i.e. fewer depressive symptoms) and linear decreases in depressive symptoms over time (i.e. improving HADS scores), whereas Class 2 involved higher initial status (i.e. more depressive symptoms) and linear increases in depressive symptoms over time (i.e. worsening HADS scores). LCGM further indicated that being older (OR = 2.46; p < .05), married (OR = 2.62; p < .05), employed (OR = 4.29; p < .005) and physically active (OR = 2.71; p < .05) predicted a greater likelihood of belonging to C1 than C2.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive symptoms change over time in persons with RRMS, and the pattern of change can be predicted by modifiable and non-modifiable factors.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
Ipek
I
Ensari
Robert W
RW
Motl
Edward
E
McAuley
Sean P
SP
Mullen
Anthony
A
Feinstein
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
Depression; factors; longitudinal study; multiple sclerosis; physical activity; predictive model; questionnaire; relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis