title: Point prevalence and correlates of depression in a national community sample with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of depression in multiple sclerosis (MS) is known to be elevated, but nearly all available studies have estimated period prevalence. The objective of this study was to estimate the point prevalence of depression in a representative community sample using the Patient Health Questionnaire, Brief (PHQ-9).
  
  
  METHODS
  The data source for this study was the Survey of Living with Neurological Conditions in Canada, which was derived from a representative sample of household residents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample included 630 respondents with MS. With application of the standard PHQ-9 cut point (10+), the prevalence of depression was 26.0% (95% confidence interval 18.9%-33.0%). Depressed subjects had lower quality of life; an increased frequency of suicidal ideation; and more often reported a negative disease course, high stress, low social support and stigmatization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study adds to the existing literature by providing point prevalence data: in any 2-week period, about one quarter of community residents with MS experience substantial levels of depressive symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Viner
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada; Mathison Center for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Kirsten M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Fiest
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, CANADA; Mathison Center for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrew G M
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Bulloch
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeanne V A
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Dina H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lavorato
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada; Mathison Center for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berzins
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jetté
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Luanne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, CANADA; Mathison Center for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada. Electronic address: patten@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: Scott B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Patten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Comorbidity; Cross-sectional studies; Depression; Multiple sclerosis; Population studies; Prevalence