Relationship status and the neurobehavioral symptoms of multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional analysis

Relationship status influences mental and physical health in the general population and may mitigate radiological abnormalities in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there are limited data about whether one's relationship status impacts the neurobehavioral symptoms of MS, such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, or self-reported cognitive concerns. This study's objective was to explore the influence of relationship status on the neurobehavioral sequelae of MS. At a Canadian neuropsychiatry clinic, 1393 people with MS (pwMS) consecutively completed psychometric testing with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale sub-scales for anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D), the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ) for self-reported cognitive concerns. Participants were categorized by the presence or absence of an intimate relationship. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were undertaken to examine whether relationship status influenced HADS-A, HADS-D, MFIS, or PDQ scores, adjusting for age, sex, education, Expanded Disability Status Scale scores, disease subtype, illness duration, and disease-modifying therapy use. Mean age was 43.37 years, 73.33% were female, median EDSS was 2.00, and 55.86% were married. Controlling for covariates, the presence of a relationship was associated with decreased HADS-D scores (p = .006). Relationship status did not independently influence HADS-A, MFIS, or PDQ scores. Overall, being in a relationship is linked to decreased depressive symptoms in pwMS.