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Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Background and Aim: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is among the most prevalent chronic and progressive neurological diseases with high simultaneity. MS is associated with some psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Thus, we examined depression and anxiety in individuals with MS in this review study. Methods and Materials/Patients: We conducted this study using a systematic review method relying on the search from January 2010 to December 2020. Accordingly, we searched the following keywords: “multiple sclerosis, MS, psychiatric issues, psychological disorders, psychological problems, anxiety, mental health, quality of life, and depression” in 4 online databases (PsycNET, PubMed, Scopus, and Magiran). Ultimately, we selected 14 comprehensive papers that quantitatively and qualitatively examined psychiatric disorders in patients with MS. Results: A total of 14 studies were analyzed that included 27106 patients with MS. The results achieved by the analytical studies explained that depression and anxiety are significantly higher in patients with MS, compared with the healthy population. The prevalence of depression and anxiety in MS patients was reported to be heterogeneous. Conclusion: Data related to a large number of patients with MS presented a high prevalence of depression and anxiety in them; however, not separating the symptoms from the disorder can be misleading. Consequently, it is recommended to conduct further research to precisely assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety in these patients. It is required that future studies consider the further use of clinical interviews instead of self-reported questionnaires, using sample selection methods, and providing a complete report of patients' demographic, and clinical information.