Depression improvement during multiple sclerosis is associated with improved disability

<h3>Introduction</h3> Depression is a common feature in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is be argued whether depression is part of MS or whether higher level disability drives depression. <h3>Methods</h3> A retrospective study in the UKMS Register using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), MS Impact Score (MSIS-29) and MS Walking Score (MSWS-12) sampled in participants who had completed questionnaires ≥ 5 years. <h3>Results</h3> MS participants who have higher levels of anxiety and depression as measured using the HADS have higher MSIS-29 (&gt;disability) scores throughout their disease duration of &gt;50 years (p = 0.00037). Those with MS who have not experienced depression during a 5 year period are associated with an less motor disability compared to those who stayed depressed and those who became depressed (p = 0.037, 0.00045). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Improvement in depression is associated with improved disability but it is not possible to determine whether depression or disability improvement drives the change.