Depression in multiple sclerosis

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Prevalence of depression in MS is significant. Existence of mood disorders alters the patients’ life quality.

Objective

To determine the prevalence of depression in MS and establish the relationship between the severity of the disease, the onset of depression and their correlation with neuroimaging.

Methods

Fifty patients with MS aged 20 to 50 years followed at the Neurology Department of Charles-Nicolle Hospital from 2008 to 2012 participated in this study. The evaluation included a neuropsychological assessment, physical examination with EDSS and MRI.

Results

Association between MS and depression is common and known. In our study, prevalence of depression was 65%. Coexistence of other psychiatric disorders was found in around 10% of patients. Mood disorder was inaugural in some cases and delayed in others. This suggests that depression in MS may be linked to the disease or a result of a functional disability process. Occurrence of depression was not directly related to disease severity in all cases studied.

Conclusion

Depression is a possible manifestation of MS. This mood disorder is due to the demyelinating brain damage or to a genetic susceptibility. However, a fortuitous association cannot be excluded.