A 12-month prospective, observational study evaluating the impact of disease-modifying treatment on emotional burden in recently-diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients: The POSIDONIA study

J Neurol Sci. 2016 May 15:364:105-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.02.047. Epub 2016 Feb 20.

Abstract

Introduction: Depression and anxiety are common among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and are frequently present at the time of MS diagnosis.

Methods: POSIDONIA was a 12-month, observational, prospective study conducted in Italy to evaluate the impact of disease-modifying treatment (DMT) on emotional burden in patients with recently-diagnosed MS. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), specifically HADS anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) subscale scores, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) were used to measure patient-reported outcomes. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), HDRS-17, was used as a measure of healthcare provider-reported outcomes. The primary study outcome was change from baseline in feelings of anxiety and depression over 12months (via HADS).

Results: Of 250 enrolled patients, 222 (88.8%) completed the study. At baseline, mean HADS total, HADS-A and HADS-D subscale scores were within the normal range. There were no significant changes over time in mean HADS total and HADS-A and HADS-D subscale scores, although the subgroup of patients with baseline scores indicative of anxiety or depression tended to improve over time. Both the HDRS and IES-R total scores improved over time, but there were no statistically significant changes in SF-36.

Conclusion: In the patient population of the POSIDONIA study depression and anxiety were present in a minority of patients thus not allowing to detect the impact of starting DMT. However DMT appears to have a positive effect in patients with measurable anxiety or depression at baseline.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Disease-modifying treatment; Emotional burden; Multiple sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Italy
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mood Disorders / etiology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics
  • Treatment Outcome*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors