Incident depression in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis: a multi‐database study. (8th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Persson, R.; Lee, S.; Yood, M. U.; Wagner, M. R.; Minton, N.; Niemcryk, S.; Lindholm, A.; Evans, A. M.; Jick, S.
• Is Part Of: European journal of neurology. Volume 27:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 1556
• Page End: 1560
• Publication Date: 2020-06-08
• Subjects: depression -- epidemiology -- incidence -- multiple sclerosis; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ene.14314
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-5101

Abstract

Abstract : Background and purpose: Data on rates of newly diagnosed depression after multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis are sparse. Here, incident, treated depression in MS patients after diagnosis compared with matched non‐MS patients is described. Methods: A matched cohort study was conducted in two separate electronic medical databases: the US Department of Defense (US‐DOD) military healthcare system and the UK's Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD (UK‐CPRD). The study population included all patients with a first recorded diagnosis of MS and matched non‐MS patients. Patients with a history of treated depression were excluded. Incidence rates and incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals for treated depression after MS diagnosis/matched date were estimated. Results: Incidence rate ratios of treated depression amongst MS patients compared with non‐MS patients were 3.20 (95% confidence interval 3.05–3.35) in the US‐DOD and 1.90 (95% confidence interval 1.74–2.06) in the UK‐CPRD. Incidence rate ratios were elevated across age and sex. Rates were higher in females than males but, compared to non‐MS patients, males with MS had a higher relative risk than females with MS. Conclusions: Multiple sclerosis patients in the UK and the USA have a two‐ to three‐fold increased risk of new, treated depression compared to matched non‐MS patients.