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Disease activity and emotional state in multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Dalos Nancy P.,
Rabins Peter V.,
Brooks Benjamin R.,
O'Donnell Pat
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410130517
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , depression (economics) , general health questionnaire , exacerbation , anxiety , medicine , disease , psychiatry , physical therapy , clinical psychology , economics , macroeconomics
The prevalence and nature of emotional disturbance in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) was studied prospectively in 64 MS patients and 23 spinal cord–injured (SCI) control patients by administration of the 28‐item subscale General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). MS patients in remission had a mean GHQ score of 4.4, and patients with acute exacerbation or progressive nonremitting MS had a mean score of 15.7, a significant difference ( p < 0.001). The prevalence of emotional disturbance was 90% in exacerbating or progressing patients, 39% in stable patients, and 12% in SCI control patients. The presence of emotional disturbance was not related to age, sex, or other demographic variables, to duration or severity of disease, or to the degree of disability. In the group of MS patients in remission, somatic complaints, anxiety, and social dysfunction were more prevalent than symptoms of depression.