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. 2024 Apr;124(2):457-466.
doi: 10.1007/s13760-023-02390-z. Epub 2023 Sep 28.

Stressful life events and depression and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional analysis of an international cohort

Jeanette C Reece  1 , Sandra L Neate  1 , Rebekah A Davenport  2 , Elasma Milanzi  3   4 , Nupur Nag  1 , William Bevens  1 , Maggie Yu  1 , George A Jelinek  1 , Steve Simpson-Yap  5   6
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Stressful life events and depression and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional analysis of an international cohort

Jeanette C Reece et al. Acta Neurol Belg. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Relationships between stressful life events (SLEs) and health outcomes in people living with multiple sclerosis (plwMS), beyond relapse, are not well-established. We examined associations between SLEs and fatigue and symptoms of depression in plwMS.

Methods: 948 participants were queried whether they had experienced any of the 16 SLEs (Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale) in the preceding 12 months. SLEs were summated to estimate SLE number and SLE load (weighted for the degree of associated stress). Cross-sectional associations between SLE (number, load and individual) and fatigue, and depressive symptoms were examined using log-binomial or log-multinomial regression adjusted for age, sex, relapse symptoms, education, MS type at baseline, disability, fatigue, comorbidity, depression, and antidepressant/antifatigue medications, as appropriate. Sub-analyses restricted to SLEs with a negative emotional impact were performed.

Results: Median SLE number and load were 2 (IQR 1-2) and 57 (IQR 28-97), respectively. SLE number and load were not associated with a higher prevalence of fatigue, or depressive symptoms, even when restricting analyses to SLEs with a perceived negative emotional impact. A new relationship or family member with a negative impact was associated with a threefold and 2.5-fold higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, respectively. Serious illness was associated with a 28% higher prevalence of depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: Psychological support for SLEs, and/or intervention targeted to SLE appraisal, may be beneficial in mitigating the adverse effects of SLEs with a perceived negative emotional impact on depressive symptoms in plwMS. Potential associations between serious illness and increased prevalence of depressive symptoms may warrant further investigation.

Keywords: Depressive symptoms; Fatigue; Multiple sclerosis; Stressful life event.

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Conflict of interest statement

GJ is the author of Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis and Recovering from Multiple Sclerosis, and the founder of the Overcoming MS organisation. GJ and SN were co-editors of Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook: Roadmap to Good Health. GJ and SN were facilitators of Overcoming MS educational workshops for people with MS.

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