Contributions
Abstract: EP1360
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: Anxiety and depression are common psychiatric conditions in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Several studies have reported high rates of depression in MS patients with a lifetime prevalence of ∼50% and annual prevalence of 20%. Studies have shown that neuroinflammation is associated with anxiety and depression in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. In Puerto Rico there are no studies of prevalence of depression and anxiety in MS. It is common to find that patients are using multiple antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anxiolytics. Many patients are not followed by mental health specialists, are in long term drugs, and receiving a prescription from their primary care provider. Studying these comorbidities is of great importance due to their association with low quality of life in this population.
Aims: Our study aims to determine the use of common anxiety and depression drugs in MS patients of San Juan MS Centre (SJMSC), evaluate their frequency and natural progression, describe the medications pattern use, active symptoms, and use of specialized and alternative treatments for emotional conditions.
Methods: Medical records of patients from SJMSC were reviewed to determine the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines, and other drugs for anxiety and depression. The State/Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory - 2 will be collected to identify active symptoms and severity. Data will be analysed using descriptive statistical analysis, comorbidities transition states will be modelled by Markov chains (MC).
Results: From a total of 1,397 MS patients 54% were using drugs for psychiatric conditions. Among these, 44% were using antidepressants, 27% anxiolytics, 14% for both anxiety and depression, and 15% were using other types on their most recent visit. Patients receiving only antidepressants at a specific visit reported, in their subsequent visits, treatment for the same comorbidity in 55% of the cases and among those who reported changes in comorbidity 30% received only anxiolytics, 4% anxiolytics and antidepressants, and 11% other type of drugs.
Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of anxiety and depression treatment use in SJMSC patients. Among them, about 50% had changed their treatments in a subsequent visit. Further investigations are needed to describe the effect of medication change in patients.
Disclosure: Astrid Diaz: nothing to disclose
Ivonne Vicente: nothing to disclose
Angel Chinea: Dr.Chinea is speaker for Novartis, Biogen, Teva, and Genzyme. None of the authors of this research received any grants or monetary compensation.
Istoni DaLuz: nothing to disclose
Ana Rivera-Fullana: nothing to disclose
Guillermo Garcia: nothing to disclose
Michael Ramírez: nothing to disclose
Cristina Rubi: nothing to disclose
Allan Reyes: nothing to disclose
Abstract: EP1360
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: Anxiety and depression are common psychiatric conditions in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Several studies have reported high rates of depression in MS patients with a lifetime prevalence of ∼50% and annual prevalence of 20%. Studies have shown that neuroinflammation is associated with anxiety and depression in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. In Puerto Rico there are no studies of prevalence of depression and anxiety in MS. It is common to find that patients are using multiple antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anxiolytics. Many patients are not followed by mental health specialists, are in long term drugs, and receiving a prescription from their primary care provider. Studying these comorbidities is of great importance due to their association with low quality of life in this population.
Aims: Our study aims to determine the use of common anxiety and depression drugs in MS patients of San Juan MS Centre (SJMSC), evaluate their frequency and natural progression, describe the medications pattern use, active symptoms, and use of specialized and alternative treatments for emotional conditions.
Methods: Medical records of patients from SJMSC were reviewed to determine the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines, and other drugs for anxiety and depression. The State/Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory - 2 will be collected to identify active symptoms and severity. Data will be analysed using descriptive statistical analysis, comorbidities transition states will be modelled by Markov chains (MC).
Results: From a total of 1,397 MS patients 54% were using drugs for psychiatric conditions. Among these, 44% were using antidepressants, 27% anxiolytics, 14% for both anxiety and depression, and 15% were using other types on their most recent visit. Patients receiving only antidepressants at a specific visit reported, in their subsequent visits, treatment for the same comorbidity in 55% of the cases and among those who reported changes in comorbidity 30% received only anxiolytics, 4% anxiolytics and antidepressants, and 11% other type of drugs.
Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of anxiety and depression treatment use in SJMSC patients. Among them, about 50% had changed their treatments in a subsequent visit. Further investigations are needed to describe the effect of medication change in patients.
Disclosure: Astrid Diaz: nothing to disclose
Ivonne Vicente: nothing to disclose
Angel Chinea: Dr.Chinea is speaker for Novartis, Biogen, Teva, and Genzyme. None of the authors of this research received any grants or monetary compensation.
Istoni DaLuz: nothing to disclose
Ana Rivera-Fullana: nothing to disclose
Guillermo Garcia: nothing to disclose
Michael Ramírez: nothing to disclose
Cristina Rubi: nothing to disclose
Allan Reyes: nothing to disclose