title: Anxiety Levels Are Independently Associated With Cognitive Performance in an Australian Multiple Sclerosis Patient Cohort.
abstract: Neurological and psychological symptoms in multiple sclerosis can affect cognitive function. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between psychological measures and cognitive performance in a patient cohort. In 322 multiple sclerosis patients, psychological symptoms were measured using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, and cognitive function was evaluated using Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen. Multifactor linear regression analysis, accounting for all clinical covariates, found that anxiety was the only psychological measure to remain a significant predictor of cognitive performance (p<0.001), particularly memory function (p<0.001). Further prospective studies are required to determine whether treatment of anxiety improves cognitive impairment.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, Australia (KR, JL-S); Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (RL); Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, QLD, Australia (RL); Neuropsychiatry Service, Calvary Mater Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (PWS); and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (PWS, JL-S).
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ribbons
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, Australia (KR, JL-S); Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (RL); Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, QLD, Australia (RL); Neuropsychiatry Service, Calvary Mater Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (PWS); and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (PWS, JL-S).
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lea
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, Australia (KR, JL-S); Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (RL); Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, QLD, Australia (RL); Neuropsychiatry Service, Calvary Mater Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (PWS); and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (PWS, JL-S).
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, Australia (KR, JL-S); Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (RL); Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, QLD, Australia (RL); Neuropsychiatry Service, Calvary Mater Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (PWS); and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (PWS, JL-S).
authors.forename: Jeannette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lechner-Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications*; D001315:Australia; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Anxiety Disorders (Neuropsychiatric Aspects); Cognitive Disorders; Multiple Sclerosis