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Factors associated with depressive mood at the onset of multiple sclerosis - an analysis of 781 patients of the German NationMS cohort

Authors

  • A. Salmen
  • R. Hoepner
  • V. Fleischer
  • M. Heldt
  • B. Gisevius
  • J. Motte
  • K. Ruprecht
  • R. Schneider
  • A.L. Fisse
  • T. Grüter
  • C. Lukas
  • A. Berthele
  • K. Giglhuber
  • M. Flaskamp
  • M. Mühlau
  • J. Kirschke
  • S. Bittner
  • S. Groppa
  • F. Lüssi
  • A. Bayas
  • S. Meuth
  • C. Heesen
  • C. Trebst
  • B. Wildemann
  • F. Then Bergh
  • G. Antony
  • T. Kümpfel
  • F. Paul
  • S. Nischwitz
  • H. Tumani
  • U. Zettl
  • B. Hemmer
  • H. Wiendl
  • F. Zipp
  • R. Gold

Journal

  • Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders

Citation

  • Ther Adv Neurol Disord 16: 17562864231197309

Abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Depression has a major impact on the disease burden of multiple sclerosis (MS). Analyses of overlapping MS and depression risk factors [smoking, vitamin D (25-OH-VD) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection] and sex, age, disease characteristics and neuroimaging features associated with depressive symptoms in early MS are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To assess an association of MS risk factors with depressive symptoms within the German NationMS cohort. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis within a multicenter observational study. METHODS: Baseline data of n = 781 adults with newly diagnosed clinically isolated syndrome or relapsing-remitting MS qualified for analysis. Global and region-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-volumetry parameters were available for n = 327 patients. Association of demographic factors, MS characteristics and risk factors [sex, age, smoking, disease course, presence of current relapse, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, fatigue (fatigue scale motor cognition), 25-OH-VD serum concentration, EBV nuclear antigen-1 IgG (EBNA1-IgG) serum levels] and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II) was tested as a primary outcome by multivariable linear regression. Non-parametric correlation and group comparison were performed for associations of MRI parameters and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Mean age was 34.3 years (95% confidence interval: 33.6-35.0). The female-to-male ratio was 2.3:1. At least minimal depressive symptoms (BDI-II > 8) were present in n = 256 (32.8%), 25-OH-VD deficiency (<20 ng/ml) in n = 398 (51.0%), n = 246 (31.5%) participants were smokers. Presence of current relapse [coefficient (c) = 1.48, p = 0.016], more severe fatigue (c = 0.26, p < 0.0001), lower 25-OH-VD (c = -0.03, p = 0.034) and smoking (c = 0.35, p = 0.008) were associated with higher BDI-II scores. Sex, age, disease course, EDSS, month of visit, EBNA1-IgG levels and brain volumes at baseline were not. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms need to be assessed in early MS. Patients during relapse seem especially vulnerable to depressive symptoms. Contributing factors such as fatigue, vitamin D deficiency and smoking, could specifically be targeted in future interventions and should be investigated in prospective studies.


DOI

doi:10.1177/17562864231197309