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Patients with MS Likely to Receive Depression Treatment

Mult Scler Int; ePub 2017 Apr 13; Bhattacharjee, et al

Publish date:

Approximately 6 out of 10 ambulatory visits involving multiple sclerosis (MS) and depression recorded some form of depression treatment, a recent study found. A cross-sectional study was conducted by pooling multiple years (2005-2011) of National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the outpatient department of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data. The final study sample was comprised of ambulatory visits among adults (aged ≥18 years) with MS and depression. Researchers found:

  • Between 2005 and 2011, approximately 2.1 million visits involved a diagnosis of MS and depression.
  • Depression treatment was observed in 57.25% of the sample.
  • Individuals who were aged ≥40 years were 81% less likely to receive depression treatment compared to those who were aged 18 to 39 years.
  • With the increase in each chronic condition, the likelihood of receiving depression treatment decreased by 44%.

Citation:

Bhattacharjee S, Goldstone L, Ip Q, Warholak T. Depression treatment among adults with multiple sclerosis and depression in ambulatory care settings in the United States. [Published online ahead of print April 13, 2017]. Mult Scler Int. doi:10.1155/2017/3175358.

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