title: Influence of body mass index on psychological and functional outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the effect of weight on psychological and functional outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, including self-perception, depression, functional level, fatigue, and self-rated health status.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and one (n = 101) patients with MS participated in this cross-sectional study. Outcomes were scores in the Beck Depression Inventory, NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEOFFI), Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS), Fatigue Impact Scale, and Quality Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). Patients were classified as normal weight (18.5 < BMI < 24.9 kg/m(2)) or overweight (25.0 > BMI > 29.9 kg/m(2)). One-way analysis of covariance was conducted with gender, age, and years with disease as covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depression levels were significantly higher in overweight versus normal-weight MS patients (F = 6.381; P = 0.013). NEOFFI scores were significantly higher in overweight versus normal-weight MS patients for extraversion (F = 6.331; P = 0.014), conscientiousness (F = 4.794; P = 0.034), and neuroticism (F = 5.422; P = 0.022) but not for openness (F = 2.174; P = 0.109) or agreeableness (F = 0.047; P = 0.829). The two groups did not significantly differ in fatigue (P > 00.5). Scores in general (F = 4.708; P = 0.032) and mental health (F = 4.583; P = 0.035) SF-36 domains were significantly lower in overweight versus normal-weight patients. Scores for FAMS domains of emotional well-being (F = 8.050; P = 0.006), general contentment (F = 7.967; P = 0.006), and family/social well-being (F = 7.662; P = 0.007) were significantly lower in overweight versus normal-weight patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overweight MS patients evidenced higher depression levels, lower functional capacity, and worse self-rated health status in comparison to normal-weight MS patients. These results suggest that weight control programs should be incorporated into the management of patients with MS.
authors.forename: Jacobo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cambil-Martín
authors.forename: Noelia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Galiano-Castillo
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Hellín
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Díaz-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Sofía
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laguarta-Val
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández-de-Las-Peñas
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arroyo-Morales
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
keywords: Depression; Fatigue; Multiple sclerosis; Overweight; Quality of life