Relationship between Clinical Components and Demographic Variables Among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Based on Patient Reported Outcomes

Background: Anxiety, depression, pain, and physical functioning have been viewed as common patient report outcomes in patients with MS. Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) have outcome assessments that are a valid and reliable method to measure symptoms and physical functioning.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship among anxiety, depression, pain, and physical functioning and clinical and demographic variables in patients with MS.

Methods: Retrospective review of data collected through EPIC electronic health record (EHR). The patient reported outcomes were PROMIS Anxiety, Depression, Pain Interference, and Physical Function.

Results:

There were 242 records of patients with MS. Longitudinal mixed method regression analysis revealed that physical function declined with age after adjusting for race and sex (p<0.001) and was negatively associated with depression (p<0.001). Anxiety significantly increased with time since onset of first symptoms (p=0.025). Depression significantly increased with time since onset of first symptoms (p=0.011) and this increase was more rapid among female MS subjects (p=0.003).

Conclusions: It is important to examine the relationship of psychosocial variables and demographics in relationship to patient reported outcomes in patients with MS. Such findings are useful for future interventions especially in certain demographic groups.