Predictors of Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis

Purpose/Objectives: The aims of this study were to (1) identify the predictors of symptoms of anxiety, and (2) evaluate the differential association of somatic and nonsomatic symptoms of depression on anxiety over time in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method/Design: Participants were 513 persons with MS who previously enrolled in a study exploring the experience of living with MS and completed a 4-month follow-up survey. The main outcome measure used was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety. Demographic, disease-associated variables (time since onset of MS, Expanded Disability Status Scale Mobility, pain, and fatigue), and Time 1 psychological variables were entered into a hierarchical regression model to examine predictors at baseline for anxiety symptoms at Time 2. Results: A large portion of the sample was White (92%), female (82%), and had relapsing-remitting MS (57%). After adjusting for demographic and disease related variables, anxiety (beta = .001), employment (beta = .07), and nonsomatic depressive symptoms (beta = .10) at baseline significantly predicted anxiety at Time 2, ps < .05. Interactions revealed significant effects for time since onset of MS and somatic symptoms as well as time since onset and nonsomatic symptoms, ps < .05. Nonsomatic symptoms were more linked to anxiety early in the disease and somatic symptoms were more prominently linked to anxiety later in the disease. Conclusions: Findings suggest that nonsomatic symptoms of depression and employment predict anxiety in MS. The relationship between different aspects of depression and anxiety may change over the course of the disease.