Marzieh Mahboobi; Abbas Khashandish; Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi; Mohammad Ali Sahraian; Maryam Bahrami-Hidaji; Farnaz Etesam
Abstract
Background: Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent psychological symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and have a significant impact on quality of life (QOL) and disability progression in the patients. Therefore, it is very important to find ways to reduce the impact of these disorders ...
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Background: Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent psychological symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and have a significant impact on quality of life (QOL) and disability progression in the patients. Therefore, it is very important to find ways to reduce the impact of these disorders on patients with MS. The data suggest that self-disclosure may be beneficial in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety in many chronic diseases. Due to the scarcity of related studies, this cross-sectional research aimed to evaluate the relations between self-disclosure, anxiety, and depression in patients with MS. Methods: 112 patients with MS from several referral outpatient MS clinics participated in the study. Data were extracted using socio-demographic questionnaire to determine clinical variables and patient characteristics, Distress Disclosure Index (DDI) to assess self-disclosure, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to evaluate mood states, and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) recorded by an experienced neurologist. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis with controlling disease variables demonstrated distress disclosure as an independent factor to predict anxiety and depression in the patients (P < 0.05). Results also presented a significant, positive relationship between hospitalization history and disability levels with anxiety and depression. These findings clearly state that these two variables can accurately predict a heightened state of anxiety and depression in patients with MS. Conclusion: This study provides empirical support for the positive role of disclosure in decreasing the negative emotions in MS. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of disclosing MS in different cultural and situational contexts.
Fatemeh Sadat Asgarian; Ali Keyhani; Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi; Moahammad Ali Sahraian; Farnaz Etesam
Abstract
Background: Considering the high probability of suicidal behaviors in multiple sclerosis (MS) population of other countries and the unlikeliness of its diagnosis in patients with MS by specialists, the current research targets the frequency of suicidal thoughts and mood symptoms in a group of patients ...
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Background: Considering the high probability of suicidal behaviors in multiple sclerosis (MS) population of other countries and the unlikeliness of its diagnosis in patients with MS by specialists, the current research targets the frequency of suicidal thoughts and mood symptoms in a group of patients with MS in Iran. Also, we investigated the relationships among suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, anticipated stigma, social support, some disease characteristics, and sociodemographic factors. Methods: A sample of 276 subjects were selected from community-based MS clinics and referral out-patient MS clinic of Sina Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Chronic Illness Anticipated Stigma Scale (CIASS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and a personal information questionnaire. Results: 36.2% of the participants had suicidal thoughts. Suicidal ideation was significantly more likely among people who reported higher anxiety and depression scores or anticipated stigma from their friends and families. Women and patients with higher education experienced suicidal ideation more frequently than others. Conclusion: The importance of comorbidities of suicidal thoughts with anticipated stigma, depression, and anxiety in patients with MS, emphasizing the need for paying attention to it, and considering effective therapeutic interventions focused on alleviating perceived stigma as well as mood symptoms.
Melika Rafiemehr; Ali Asghar Okhovat; Kamyar Moradi; Gilda Kiani Mehr; Shahriar Nafissi; Farzad Fatehi
Abstract
Background: Caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may suffer from anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life (QoL). Our goal was to evaluate the QoL and mood disorders in caregivers and their correlation with the patients' demographic, physical, and mental conditions. ...
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Background: Caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may suffer from anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life (QoL). Our goal was to evaluate the QoL and mood disorders in caregivers and their correlation with the patients' demographic, physical, and mental conditions. Methods: We analyzed data from 39 patients with ALS and their caregivers. Patients completed questionnaires of anxiety assessed by Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), depression using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and QoL via 40-item Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40). Physical impairment was also measured in the patients using the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). Caregivers were also assessed by BDI-II, GAD-7, and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36). Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety in the patients was 82.1% and 71.8%, respectively. Caregivers also had higher rates of anxiety and depression and lower levels of QoL in comparison with the general population (anxiety: 66.7%, depression: 43.6%). Depression and anxiety were considerably associated with worsened QoL in the caregivers. None of the demographic, physical, or mental characteristics of patients with ALS were related to either mood status or QoL of the caregiver population. Conclusion: Caregivers experience higher rates of anxiety and depression and lower QoL in comparison with the general population. The severity of mood disorders is inversely associated with the physical and mental domains of caregivers' QoL. Nonetheless, QoL in the caregivers is not affected by the physical or mental disability of the patients.
