The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional multi-centered study

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis is considered one of the leading causes of neurological non-traumatic disability among young people. Given the chronic progressive nature of the disease, psychiatric disorders are more prevalent among those patients as reported in the literature; however, the data in Saudi Arabia is lacking. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among MS patient in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional multi-centered study, including patients with multiple sclerosis. Participants were interviewed and asked to fill a validated survey that consisted of demographics, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were performed, and the analysis were made using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and ANOVA tests as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 192 participants were included in the study. Based on a cutoff score of > 10 in the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scales, the prevalence of anxiety was 26.1% (n-50), with majority of the participants having minimal anxiety (40%); meanwhile, the prevalence of depression was 42.7% (n=82), and most of them had mild depression (30%). [table 1, image 1 and 2] Females participants significantly scored higher in GAD-7 and PHQ-9 compared to males (p-value= 0.0376 and 0.1134, respectively). [table 2 and 3] In addition, no significant association was detected between functional disability (EDSS score) and the prevalence of anxiety and depression. [Table: see text] [Table: see text] [Table: see text] Image: Image 2: CONCLUSIONS: This study reported high level of anxiety and depression among MS patients, with females being more affected. Since these co-morbid disorders could affect the disease course negatively, screening is of paramount significance. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST: None Declared