title: A more in-depth interpretation of MMPI-2 in MS patients by using Harris and Lingoes subscales.
abstract: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is frequently associated with neuropsychiatric abnormalities. The aim of our study was to discriminate between psychosomatic disturbances and MS physically-related symptoms using the Harris-Lingoes subscales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Forty-six MS out-patients (35 females; mean age = 44.5); and 82 healthy volunteers (62 females; mean age = 46.5) were evaluated with MMPI-2 questionnaire. The frequency distribution of MMPI-2 clinical scales with high scores (> = 65) and the related Harris-Lingoes subscales were analyzed for both MS patients and healthy control subjects. Data analysis showed elevated scores in 47.8% of the patients mainly on MMPI-2 clinical scales 1, 2, and 3. The Harris-Lingoes subscales analysis allowed us to isolate and identify physical symptoms contributing to elevation of MMPI-2 clinical scales, reduce the occurrence of false positives (MMPI-2 clinical scales elevations mainly due to MS physical disability) and provide a more detailed description of psycho-emotional symptoms of MS patients. In conclusion, our study shows the utility of Harris-Lingoes subscales analysis when MMPI-2 is used for psychological assessment of MS patients.
authors.affiliation: a Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Unit , I.R.C.C.S. "Santa Lucia" Foundation , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Incerti
authors.affiliation: a Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Unit , I.R.C.C.S. "Santa Lucia" Foundation , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Argento
authors.affiliation: a Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Unit , I.R.C.C.S. "Santa Lucia" Foundation , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pisani
authors.affiliation: a Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Unit , I.R.C.C.S. "Santa Lucia" Foundation , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magistrale
authors.affiliation: b Department of Developmental Neurology and Psychiatry , University of Rome "La Sapienza" , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sabatello
authors.affiliation: c Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Unit, I.R.C.C.S. "Santa Lucia" Foundation, Department of Systems Medicine , University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caltagirone
authors.affiliation: c Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Unit, I.R.C.C.S. "Santa Lucia" Foundation, Department of Systems Medicine , University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nocentini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
keywords: Depression; Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2; multiple sclerosis; psychological evaluation