title: Mood and coping in clinically isolated syndrome and multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few studies have examined behavioural changes in the early phase of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the study is to investigate mood alterations and to explore coping strategies regarding patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The communication of diagnosis was made by one neurologist using a standardized approach. Depression, anxiety and coping questionnaires were filled in within 1 month from the diagnosis and at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months subsequently.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine patients were examined (11 CIS, 28 RRMS), also 39 healthy controls. At entry, patients showed a lower degree of hostile behaviour and a higher level of depression than the controls. At follow-up, a reduction in depression, anxiety and a better coping adjustment was observed. A higher reliance on 'Accepting responsibilities' coping score was seen in patients with higher levels of depression and anxiety. No significant differences were revealed by group comparisons between CIS and RRMS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights transient mood alterations and an improving of adaptive coping over a period of time in patients with CIS and RRMS. Similar emotional reactions and coping in clinical subgroups suggest that these factors are independent from the type of information provided during the communication of the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: MS Centre, S. Andrea Hospital, Neurological Sciences, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Giglio
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prosperini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mancinelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Angelis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barletta
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pozzilli
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anxiety; clinically isolated syndrome; coping; depression; diagnosis; multiple sclerosis