Simona Bonavita1,2, Maddalena Sparaco1, Antonio Russo1, Giovanna Borriello3, Luigi Lavorgna1. 1. Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy. 2. Neurological Institute for Diagnosis and Care 'Hermitage Capodimonte', Naples, Italy. 3. Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Ospedale S. Andrea, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The COVID-19 emergency may cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and with regard to people with MS (pwMS) chronic exposure to a wide range of challenging life events has been shown to be correlated with worsening of neurological symptoms, increased lesion burden on brain magnetic resonance imaging and relapses. The aim was to investigate perceived stress, depression, perceived social support, habits and behaviour changes in pwMS through COVID-19 in comparison to a control group. METHODS: A web-based survey was posted on SMsocialnetwork.com to investigate perceived stress (using the Perceived Stress Scale), depression (with Patient Health Questionnaire 2) and perceived social support (using Social Provision Scale 10 item) in pwMS and a control group through the COVID-19 pandemic. A secondary group of people with migraine was investigated. RESULTS: In all, 1286 answers from 612 pwMS and 674 control people were included in the final analysis. The answers from 318 people with migraine were included for a secondary analysis. A higher proportion of pwMS were depressed (43.1% vs. 23.1%; p < 0.001), had a high level of perceived stress (58% vs. 39.8%; p < 0.001) and felt significantly less social support (median 33 vs. 35; Q1-Q3 28-36 vs. 32-37; p < 0.001) compared to the control group. A higher percentage of people with migraine were depressed (50% vs. 43%, p = 0.04) compared to pwMS. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the negative impact that prolonged stress may have on clinical and radiological disease activity of pwMS, and bearing in mind that a beneficial effect has been demonstrated and achieved with stress management, it is suggested to promote stress control in these patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The COVID-19 emergency may cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and with regard to people with MS (pwMS) chronic exposure to a wide range of challenging life events has been shown to be correlated with worsening of neurological symptoms, increased lesion burden on brain magnetic resonance imaging and relapses. The aim was to investigate perceived stress, depression, perceived social support, habits and behaviour changes in pwMS through COVID-19 in comparison to a control group. METHODS: A web-based survey was posted on SMsocialnetwork.com to investigate perceived stress (using the Perceived Stress Scale), depression (with Patient Health Questionnaire 2) and perceived social support (using Social Provision Scale 10 item) in pwMS and a control group through the COVID-19 pandemic. A secondary group of people with migraine was investigated. RESULTS: In all, 1286 answers from 612 pwMS and 674 control people were included in the final analysis. The answers from 318 people with migraine were included for a secondary analysis. A higher proportion of pwMS were depressed (43.1% vs. 23.1%; p < 0.001), had a high level of perceived stress (58% vs. 39.8%; p < 0.001) and felt significantly less social support (median 33 vs. 35; Q1-Q3 28-36 vs. 32-37; p < 0.001) compared to the control group. A higher percentage of people with migraine were depressed (50% vs. 43%, p = 0.04) compared to pwMS. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the negative impact that prolonged stress may have on clinical and radiological disease activity of pwMS, and bearing in mind that a beneficial effect has been demonstrated and achieved with stress management, it is suggested to promote stress control in these patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authors: Silvia Poli; Michela Rimondini; Alberto Gajofatto; Maria Angela Mazzi; Isolde Martina Busch; Francesca Gobbin; Federico Schena; Lidia Del Piccolo; Valeria Donisi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-14 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Yuen Yu Chong; Wai Tong Chien; Ho Yu Cheng; Demetris Lamnisos; Jeļena Ļubenko; Giovambattista Presti; Valeria Squatrito; Marios Constantinou; Christiana Nicolaou; Savvas Papacostas; Gökçen Aydin; Francisco J Ruiz; Maria B Garcia-Martin; Diana P Obando-Posada; Miguel A Segura-Vargas; Vasilis S Vasiliou; Louise McHugh; Stefan Höfer; Adriana Baban; David Dias Neto; Ana Nunes da Silva; Jean-Louis Monestès; Javier Alvarez-Galvez; Marisa Paez Blarrina; Francisco Montesinos; Sonsoles Valdivia Salas; Dorottya Őri; Bartosz Kleszcz; Raimo Lappalainen; Iva Ivanović; David Gosar; Frederick Dionne; Rhonda M Merwin; Andrew T Gloster; Maria Karekla; Angelos P Kassianos Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-14 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Amin Zarghami; Mohammad A Hussain; Julie A Campbell; Chigozie Ezegbe; Ingrid van der Mei; Bruce V Taylor; Suzi B Claflin Journal: Mult Scler Relat Disord Date: 2022-01-25 Impact factor: 4.808