Anxiety, Depression, and Expanded Disability Status Scale Independently Predict the Perception of Disability in...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of disability in young adults.
• The influence of psychological, cognitive, and social factors on subjective disability in MS remains under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the predictive role of clinical, psychological, cognitive, and social support variables on disability as perceived by persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).

Main Methods:

• Utilized the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) for subjective disability and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for objective disability.
• Assessed anxiety and depression using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory-II.
• Evaluated cognitive functioning with Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery and social support with the Medical Outcome Study-Social Support Survey.
• Employed multivariable regression analysis with WHODAS 2.0 as the outcome variable.

Main Results:

• Objective disability (EDSS), state anxiety, and depression symptoms significantly predicted perceived disability (WHODAS 2.0 scores).
• These factors explained a substantial portion of the variance in subjective disability.
• Cognitive functioning and perceived social support were not found to be independent predictors of perceived disability in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Clinical and psychological factors, specifically anxiety and depression, are key determinants of perceived disability in pwMS.
• Cognitive function and social support did not independently predict subjective disability in this study.
• Psychosocial interventions should be integrated into MS rehabilitation programs to mitigate perceived disability.