Relationship between Psychosocial Factors and Onset of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of psychosocial variables on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the relationship between these variables and the onset of MS. Background: The current evidence indicates that many types of psychosocial factors are involved in the development and relapse of MS, and it has been suggested that they could serve as predictors as well. So far, little has been reported on the effect of psychosocial factors on MS and the relationship between psychosocial factors and the onset of MS. Methods: Forty-one patients, 15 males and 26 females, average age 37.44 ± 12.24 years (mean ± SD), were evaluated by the Life Event Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Social Support Revaluate Scale and Symptom Check List 90 and compared with 41 equivalent healthy control subjects, 15 males and 26 females, average age 36.38 ± 12.84 years (mean ± SD). Disease, demographic, psychosocial and lifestyle factors were measured at baseline. Patients with MS were first diagnosed by 3 neurologists according to the Poser (1983) MS diagnostic criteria. Results: Significant differences were found between the MS and the control group in their negative emotions and symptoms such as depression, anxiety, obsession, phobia, tense interpersonal relationship and somatization disorder. Significant differences were found between the two groups in the total number of negative life events, their family problems and the utilization of social support. The scores for various negative emotions in the MS group correlated positively with those for neuroticisms in personality type, and negatively with those for introverted and extroverted personality. Many kinds of negative emotions in the MS group correlated positively with the total number of life events, negative life events and family problems. Many kinds of negative emotions in the MS group correlated negatively with the utilization of social support. Conclusion: The psychosocial factors are closely associated with MS onset and may play important roles in the development of the disease.

Stress as a Risk Factor for Multiple Sclerosis Onset or Relapse: A Systematic Review

“…Only 1 of the 6 studies concerning onset was designated as a retrospective cohort study [30] . The remaining 5 [23,39,[44][45][46] were case-control studies, and 1 of them, by Warren et al [46] , elaborated on the results of a previous publication and was excluded. Regarding MS relapse, 9 studies were designated as cohort studies (follow-up) [26][27][28][29][32][33][34][35][36] , 3 as case-control studies [37,40,43] , 5 as cross-sectional studies, and 1 as a case series.…”

“…As seen in table 2 , there is limited information about disease duration and disability, with a trend towards below 10 years and limited disability, respectively. Two case-control studies [39,44] focused on stress occurrence 1 year prior to onset of symptoms, one study at 2 years prior to onset [45] , and one study at 3 years prior to diagnosis of MS [23] .…”

“…Two studies used validated tools for stress, but the researchers could not be blinded to casecontrol status [23,44] ; one study used nonvalidated tools without blinding [45] , and the study by Palumbo et al [39] used a nonvalidated tool with no description of the blinding procedure. The ascertainment of stress exposure was not considered the same in two studies by Liu et al [23] and Grant et al [44] because MS patients having had the disease already for approximately 2 years were asked about stress exposure 3 years and 1 year before MS onset, respectively, while healthy controls were asked about stress exposure during the same time periods before the time of the interview. Thus, the recall bias was different (against the hypothesis tested), and we could also deduct the absence of blinding to disease status.…”

The effect of social support on the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis

“…However, the results already achieved show significant effects on day-to-day consequences in patients with adjustment to illness. Previous research has shown that it is connected to actions of family and social reciprocity, has a positive effect on the overall health of patients 16 and on the life of caregivers 17,18 , reducing its burden [19][20][21] . High levels of social support are also associated with high levels of HRQoL and low levels of depression among patients with MS 4,6,8,22 .…”

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Instruction to Control Urinary Incontinence and its Resulting Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

“…Urinary incontinence affects the social, psychological, occupational, familial and physical aspects of the patients' lives and limits their ability to enjoy daily activities, social relations, traveling and personal relationships and imposes heavy costs on the patients and the healthcare systems (8,9). Psychological manifestations of MS include anxiety, stress, depression, cognitive disorders, irritability and anger, with the most prevalent ones being anxiety, stress and depression (10). About 48% of patients experience anxiety, stress and depression in the first year of diagnosis with MS, and these symptoms tend to highly affect the patients' quality of life (11).…”