Symptoms of PTSD and depression in newly diagnosed people with multiple sclerosis during the outbreak Oct.7th war on Gaza: A case-control study from Jordan

Abstract

The present study examined the severity and the correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms severity in newly diagnosed people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) compared to healthy people during the outbreak of the Oct.7th war on Gaza. This is a cross-sectional case-control study recruiting 63 PwMS and 79 controls. The severity of PTSD and depression were measured using validated scales. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in PTSD and depression scores between the PwMS and the controls. In addition, PwMS who experienced one or more relapses since diagnosis were at a significantly higher risk (B=9.29, t=2.06, p=0.04) for severe PTSD and severe depressive (OR=5.50, 95% CI=1.32-22.92, p=0.01). The study of the mental health of PwMS during times of crisis is emerging in developing countries, future larger-scale and follow-up studies are yet required.

Keywords: Depression; Gaza; Multiple sclerosis; PTSD; War.