Determining the Frequency of Depression and Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Emine Bilgi; Hasan Hüseyin Özdemir; Serpil Bulut

doi:10.4274/Tnd.15045

Emine Bilgi¹, Hasan Hüseyin Özdemir², Serpil Bulut³

¹Elmadag State Hospital, Neurology Clinics, Ankara, Turkey
²Bismil State Hospital, Neurology Clinics, Diyarbakir, Turkey
³Firat University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Elazig, Turkey

Keywords: Multiplesclerosis, cognitivedysfunction, depression, frequency

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is such a disease that not only leads to different levels of disabilities in mobility and functional activities, but also creates severe disability and impairs the quality of life via causing limitations in person’s social and occupational life. Most MS patients experience depression. Besides, cognitive dysfunction is present. In this study, it is aimed to detect the frequency of depression and cognitive dysfunction in MS patients.

METHODS: 108 patients diagnosed with MS are evaluated. Each one of the MS patients are administered the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Test (10/36 Spatial Recall Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Paced Auditory Serial Test, Word List Generation Test), Beck Depression Inventory and Benedict Test.

RESULTS: Of the 108 MS cases participated in the study, 69.4 % (n=75) are female, while 30.6 % (n=33) are male patients. Depression is detected in 19.5 % (n=21) of the patients, while cognitive dysfunction is detected in 41.7 % (n=45). Depression and cognitive dysfunction are detected together in 13.9 % (n=15) of the patients.

CONCLUSION: Depression and cognitive dysfunction are not a rarity in patients with MS. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to treat the patients diagnosed with MS.