Contributions
Abstract: P856
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Background: Psychological distress in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been shown to influence quality of life. Coping strategies may help mediate the effects of psychological distress. We aimed to identify the prevalence of psychological distress, the effect of gender, and any correlation between psychological distress and coping strategies.
Method: As part of the multi-centre TONiC study, MS patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences Scale (COPE60). We calculated HADS scores to identify case frequencies using a cut off score of 8 and greater, and compared psychological distress by gender, as well as the effect of psychological distress on coping strategies, using the Mann-Whitney U Test. All analyses were done in SPSS22.
Results: 722 patients completed the questionnaire, with an average age of 49 years (17-82); 519 females (71.9%). Within the cohort there were 326 cases of anxiety (45.2%) and 216 cases of depression (29.9%). There was no gender difference for anxiety or depression.
Patients suffering from anxiety were more likely to use Venting of Emotions (z=-7.663,p< 0.00001), Denial (z=-4.898,p< 0.00001), Mental (z=-6.359,p< 0.00001) and Behavioural Disengagement (z=-6.463,p< 0.00001) and Substance Use (z=-2.837,p=0.05) as coping strategies; whereas those who are not anxious tended to use Positive Reinterpretation and Growth (z=-3.325,p=0.01), Active Coping (z=-3.095,p=0.02), Acceptance (z=-4.377,p=0.00001) and Planning (z=-2.460,p=0.014).
Patients suffering from depression used more Venting of Emotion (z=-4.725,p< 0.00001), Denial (z=-5.427,p< 0.00001), and Mental (z=-7.206, p< 0.00001) and Behavioural Disengagement (z=-7.701,p< 0.00001); whereas those who are not depressed were more likely to use coping strategies such as Positive Reinterpretation and Growth (z=-6.204,p< 0.00001), Active Coping (z=-6.414,p< 0.00001), Humour (z=-3.248,p=0.001), Seeking Emotional (z=-3.938,p=0.001) and Instrumental Support (z=-3.374,p=0.0001), Acceptance (Z=-3.710,p=0002) and Planning (z=-4.972,p< 0.00001).
Conclusion: Anxiety and depression in MS patients and are linked to several maladaptive coping strategies. This highlights the need to address stressors in these patients. These data do not show the directionality of the relationships but ongoing longitudinal analyses in TONiC will provide further data.
Disclosure: Carolyn Young has received honoraria and travel expenses for scientific meetings and advisory boards, or grants from Bayer, Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, Genzyme, Motor Neurone Disease Association, MS Trust, National Institute for Health Research, Novartis, Roche, Teva, and Wellcome Trust. Roger Mills has received conference expenses from Biogen Idec and Teva. Eleanor James: nothing to disclose. Alan Tennant : nothing to disclose.
Abstract: P856
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Background: Psychological distress in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been shown to influence quality of life. Coping strategies may help mediate the effects of psychological distress. We aimed to identify the prevalence of psychological distress, the effect of gender, and any correlation between psychological distress and coping strategies.
Method: As part of the multi-centre TONiC study, MS patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences Scale (COPE60). We calculated HADS scores to identify case frequencies using a cut off score of 8 and greater, and compared psychological distress by gender, as well as the effect of psychological distress on coping strategies, using the Mann-Whitney U Test. All analyses were done in SPSS22.
Results: 722 patients completed the questionnaire, with an average age of 49 years (17-82); 519 females (71.9%). Within the cohort there were 326 cases of anxiety (45.2%) and 216 cases of depression (29.9%). There was no gender difference for anxiety or depression.
Patients suffering from anxiety were more likely to use Venting of Emotions (z=-7.663,p< 0.00001), Denial (z=-4.898,p< 0.00001), Mental (z=-6.359,p< 0.00001) and Behavioural Disengagement (z=-6.463,p< 0.00001) and Substance Use (z=-2.837,p=0.05) as coping strategies; whereas those who are not anxious tended to use Positive Reinterpretation and Growth (z=-3.325,p=0.01), Active Coping (z=-3.095,p=0.02), Acceptance (z=-4.377,p=0.00001) and Planning (z=-2.460,p=0.014).
Patients suffering from depression used more Venting of Emotion (z=-4.725,p< 0.00001), Denial (z=-5.427,p< 0.00001), and Mental (z=-7.206, p< 0.00001) and Behavioural Disengagement (z=-7.701,p< 0.00001); whereas those who are not depressed were more likely to use coping strategies such as Positive Reinterpretation and Growth (z=-6.204,p< 0.00001), Active Coping (z=-6.414,p< 0.00001), Humour (z=-3.248,p=0.001), Seeking Emotional (z=-3.938,p=0.001) and Instrumental Support (z=-3.374,p=0.0001), Acceptance (Z=-3.710,p=0002) and Planning (z=-4.972,p< 0.00001).
Conclusion: Anxiety and depression in MS patients and are linked to several maladaptive coping strategies. This highlights the need to address stressors in these patients. These data do not show the directionality of the relationships but ongoing longitudinal analyses in TONiC will provide further data.
Disclosure: Carolyn Young has received honoraria and travel expenses for scientific meetings and advisory boards, or grants from Bayer, Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, Genzyme, Motor Neurone Disease Association, MS Trust, National Institute for Health Research, Novartis, Roche, Teva, and Wellcome Trust. Roger Mills has received conference expenses from Biogen Idec and Teva. Eleanor James: nothing to disclose. Alan Tennant : nothing to disclose.