title: Beyond depression: Predictors of self-reported cognitive function in adults living with MS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between self-reported cognition and demographic/psychosocial variables in individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary longitudinal analysis of mailed self-report surveys over a period of 2 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community.
  
  
  METHODS
  407 community-dwelling individuals from the Pacific Northwest with a self-reported diagnosis of MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjective general cognitive concerns and subjective executive difficulties as measured by the Neuro-QOL Applied Cognition-Executive Function-Short Form (SF) and the Applied Cognition-General Concerns-SF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify statistically significant longitudinal predictors of perceived cognitive difficulties 2 years later. Fatigue and anxiety were statistically significant predictors of general cognitive concerns. Fatigue and perceived stress were statistically significant predictors of perceived executive difficulties. Fatigue was the strongest predictor in both models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In MS, perceived cognitive impairment is frequently linked to depression without consideration of other possible contributors. This study suggests that in people with MS, fatigue is a stronger predictor of self-reported cognitive function 2 years later than depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beier
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amtmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Dawn M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ehde
mesh_terms: D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015205:Northwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology