J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1996; 8:318-323
Copyright © 1996 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
Characterization of major depression symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients
TF Scott, D Allen, TR Price, H McConnell and D Lang
Department of Neurology, Medical College of Pennsylvania, USA.
Retrospective review of affective disturbances in 238 patients with
multiple sclerosis (MS) seen over a 6-month period revealed: 1) 51 patients
(22%) received pharmacologic treatment for depressive symptoms during or
within 4 years of the study period, and 17 (7%) received treatment for
rapid mood swings; 2) among the 51 depressed patients, response rate to
medication was extremely high; 3) relapse of depressive symptomatology
after discontinuation of medication was also high (17/29); 4) first
episodes of major depression frequently occurred during periods of MS
progression or exacerbation, but first episodes also occurred during
periods of relative clinical stability; 5) suicidal ideation was common (12
patients), but only 1 patient had a history of attempted suicide; and 6)
side effects were tolerable in most patients.
