MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS-DEPRESSION

SUMMARY

1. The prevalence of depression in MS is 50%, which is 3-10x higher than in the general populace, suicide is 7x more prevalent.

2. Symptoms of MS may themselves mimic depression (fatigue and weight-loss).

3. Beck Depression Inventory Index is the best outcome measure, a score of > 10 indicates depression.

4. Psychotherapy and CBT have been shown to be as effective as SSRIs.

5. In bipolar & affective disorders, valproate has been shown to be better than lithium, which can worsen tremors.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].