Co-Occurring Symptoms Common in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis

Symptoms including pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety occur in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research observing the presence and trajectories of these symptoms published in Multiple Sclerosis Journal.

“Pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety are common in multiple sclerosis, but little is known about the presence, co-occurrence, and trajectories of these symptoms in the year after multiple sclerosis diagnosis,” wrote Thomas R Valentine, PhD, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

Researchers aimed to determine rates of pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety during the year postdiagnosis in addition to determining rates of symptom co-occurrences and changes in symptom severity.

A total of 230 patients with newly diagnosed MS completed self-reports on pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Reports were completed following 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after diagnosis of MS.

Of all the patients, 50.9% experienced pain, 62.6% experienced fatigue, 47.4% experienced depression, and 38.7% experienced anxiety, often experiencing more than one at a time. In total, 21.3% of patients experienced 2 co-occurring symptoms, 19.1% of patients experienced 3, and 17.4% of patients experienced 4.

Researchers found rates of patients with clinically significant symptoms were generally stable though fluctuated at the individual level.

“Pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety are prevalent in newly diagnosed MS,” Dr Valentine et al concluded. “Prompt screening and evidence-based interventions are necessary if quality of life is to be optimized.”

Valentine TR, Alschuler KN, Ehde DM, Kratz AL. Prevalence, co-occurrence, and trajectories of pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety in the year following multiple sclerosis diagnosis [published online ahead of print, 2021 Jun 16]. Mult Scler. 2021;13524585211023352. doi:10.1177/13524585211023352