Worries and concerns of patients with multiple sclerosis: development of an assessment scale

This study examined the nature of worry in adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK. A measure of worry in MS was developed and the relationship between worry and standard scale measures of anxiety and depression was examined. Thirty-nine patients with MS and 40 controls completed the new worry scale (WQMS) that was psychometrically evaluated, together with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and a previously developed scale to assess self-efficacy in MS (SESMS). The scores for both anxiety (t = 2.34; P < 0.05) and depression (t = 5.52; P <0.01) were higher in MS patients than controls, as was the new scale for worry--the WQMS. A factor analysis (explaining 65.73% of the variance) suggests that the worries of patients may be dichotomized into those concerned with the physical effects of the disease and those relating to the impact on social interaction, family relationships and daily activity in the home and/or work. Worry in patients with MS was associated with a decreased sense of being able to produce positive activities or effect positive outcomes (low self-efficacy). The questionnaire provides a framework for investigation in clinic of specific concerns and level of worry they engender.