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Incident depression in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis: a multi-database study
R Persson1, S Lee2, M U Yood3,4
1Epidemiology, Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, Lexington, MA, USA.
European Journal of Neurology
|May 13, 2020
Summary
Newly diagnosed depression is significantly more common in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This study found a two- to three-fold increased risk of new depression in MS patients compared to those without MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited data exists on the incidence of newly diagnosed depression following a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis.
- Understanding depression rates in MS is crucial for patient care and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the incidence of treated depression in patients newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To compare depression rates in MS patients against matched individuals without MS.
Main Methods:
- A matched cohort study utilized two large electronic medical databases: US Department of Defense (US-DOD) and UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD (UK-CPRD).
- Patients with a new MS diagnosis were compared with matched non-MS patients, excluding those with prior depression history.
- Incidence rates and rate ratios for treated depression were calculated post-diagnosis/matched date.
Main Results:
- Multiple sclerosis patients exhibited significantly higher rates of treated depression compared to non-MS controls.
- Incidence rate ratios for treated depression were 3.20 in the US-DOD cohort and 1.90 in the UK-CPRD cohort.
- While females with MS had higher absolute rates, males with MS showed a greater relative risk increase compared to non-MS males.
Conclusions:
- Patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) face a two- to three-fold increased risk of developing new, treated depression.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and addressing depression in individuals with MS.
