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Mental health and MS:
Providing evidence-based support
Learning objectives
This module is intended to help you:
- Understand the prevalence and impact of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with MS
- Be aware of assessment scales for depression and anxiety
- Appreciate how psychiatric comorbidities can impact management of MS
- Recognise the importance of multidisciplinary management
Case study of a patient with recent change in symptoms
Tim
- Age: 37 years
- Occupation: Manager
Current medication
- Platform therapy
Previous clinical history
- - 5 years ago: Diagnosed with relapsing–remitting MS
- - Ongoing weakness in lower legs, managed by physical therapy
Recently developed symptoms
- - Persistent fatigue
- - Difficulty sleeping
- - Difficulty concentrating
- - Anhedonia
- - Increasingly worried about the future due to the degenerative nature of MS
Patient case is fictional and derived from the expert’s clinical experience.
Based on Tim’s symptom profile, what would your next steps be?
Select all that apply
Case study of a patient with recent change in symptoms
Tim
- Age: 37 years
- Occupation: Manager
Current medication
- Platform therapy
Previous clinical history
- - 5 years ago: Diagnosed with relapsing–remitting MS
- - Ongoing weakness in lower legs, managed by physical therapy
Recently developed symptoms
- - Persistent fatigue
- - Difficulty sleeping
- - Difficulty concentrating
- - Anhedonia
- - Increasingly worried about the future due to the degenerative nature of MS
Patient case is fictional and derived from the expert’s clinical experience.
Given his symptoms, do you think Tim should be assessed for depression using one of the scales discussed?
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- Patten SB, et al. Int Rev Psychiatry 2017;29:463–72.
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- Lim GY, et al. Sci Rep 2018;8;2861.
- Baxter AJ, et al. Psychol Med 2013;43:897–910.
- Remes O, et al. Brain Behav 2016;6:e00497.
- Marrie RA, et al. Neurology 2009;72:117–24.
- Fiest KM, et al. Int J MS Care 2016;18:96–104.
- Marrie RA. Nat Rev Neurology 2017;13:375–82.
- Lobentanz IS. Acta Neurol Scand 2004;111:6–13.
- McKay KA, et al. Neurology 2018;90:e1316–23.
- Thormann A, et al. Neurology 2017;89:1668–75.
- Reynolds CF, et al. Ann Rev Public Health 2012;33:123–35.
- Patten SB, et al. Mult Scler 2000;6:115–20.
- Sparaco M, et al. J Neurology. 2019;doi: 10.1007/s00415-019-09426-6 [Epub ahead of print].
- Zhang T, et al. Neurology 2016;86:1287–95.
- Iaffaldano P. Mult Scler 2018;24:(S2):8–120 [Abstract 204].
- DiMatteo MR, et al. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:2101–7.
- Higuera L, et al. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2016;22:1394–401.
- Morrow SA, et al. J Affect Disord 2015;187:142–6.
- Palé AL, et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2017;17:138–43.
- Schippling S, et al. J Neurol 2016;263:1418–26.
- Gasim M, et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2018;26:124–56.
- Sørensen P, et al. Mult Scler 2019;25:627–36.
- Roman C, et al. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2017;29:629–38.
- Dougados M, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2015;74:1725–33.
What percentage of patients with MS and the general population experience depression and anxiety?
- Marrie RA, et al. Mult Scler 2015;21:263–81.
- Boeschoten RE, et al. J Neurol Sci 2017;372:331–42.
- Lim GY, et al. Sci Rep 2018;8;2861.
- Baxter AJ, et al. Psychol Med 2013;43:897–910.
- Remes O, et al. Brain Behav 2016;6:e00497.
Congratulations!
You have completed module 3
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Mental health and MS: Providing evidence-based support
A high proportion of patients with MS have psychiatric comorbidities. This module highlights the impact of these comorbidities and offers advice on treatment and management of these patients.
Length
11 min course
Job code
HQ/MS/19/0043