Article

Studies show that suicidality is greater in persons with multiple
sclerosis (MS) than in the general population. In this study, we evaluated the
consistency of suicidality over time in patients with MS. METHOD: Participants
were patients (n = 344) at an outpatient clinic at a large medical center in New
Jersey. Longitudinal data was collected as part of an ongoing research project.
Binary logistic regression examined the effect of gender, age, depression and
disability on level of suicidality at Time 1 versus Time 2. RESULTS: Baseline
depression and change in level of depression significantly predicted level of
suicidality at Time 2, while demographic variables, baseline disability, change
in level of disability, and the interaction between change in depression and
change in disability over time did not. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions aimed at
evaluating and monitoring depression over time should be considered in order to
reduce the risk of suicidality. Implications for Rehabilitation Due to the
inconsistency and unpredictability of MS, depression should be assessed
routinely. Given the high prevalence of depression and suicidality in MS, mental
health services should be available and encouraged by healthcare providers
treating individuals with MS.

Langue : ANGLAIS