Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica 2005-12, Vol.112 (6), p.463-468
• Main Authors: Figved, N., Klevan, G., Myhr, K. M., Glad, S., Nyland, H., Larsen, J. P., Harboe, E., Omdal, R., Aarsland, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; depression; Depression - etiology; Disabled Persons - psychology; Female; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - complications; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - psychology; Male; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Mental depression; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - complications; Multiple Sclerosis - psychology; Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis; Neurology; neuropsychiatric symptoms; People with disabilities; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; The Neuropsychiatric Inventory
• ISSN: 0001-690X; 1600-0447
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00624.x

Objective:  To explore the range of psychiatric symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their association with neurological disability. Method:  Patients diagnosed with MS during 1998–2000 in Rogaland and Hordaland counties, western Norway, were included. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) served as controls. Results:  Eighty‐six of 93 eligible MS patients were included, and 80% showed at least one psychiatric symptom. The most frequent symptoms were depression (59%), sleep disturbance (48%), irritability/emotional lability (42%), and apathy (31%). Depression was associated with higher disability score. MS patients showed significantly higher NPI irritability score (P = 0.002), appetite disturbance score (P