Cognitive Profile and Mood Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis patients in Upper Egypt

Background: Inflammatory demyelination of the central nervous system is the pathology of multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease. A significant economic burden on the community, MS, affects adults at the beginning of their productive lives. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in multiple sclerosis are very common and often observed in clinical settings. Objectives: Assess neurological, psychiatric, and cognitive manifestations in a patient with multiple sclerosis. Patients and methods: The trial included 50 MS patients aged 18-60 from Qena University Hospitals, Egypt, in clinical remission or four weeks post-relapse. Head trauma, other CNS illnesses, and psychological concerns are excluded. Psychiatric and neurological problems will be tested utilizing the Expanded Disability Status Scale, MRI, Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scales, and Multiple Sclerosis Brief International Cognitive Assessment. The institutional ethics committee approved. Results This study revealed a highly statistically significant positive correlation between EDSS, Hamilton anxiety, and Hamilton depression scores in all participants (P<0.001) (r= 0.766, 0.843, respectively). Additionally, a highly statistically significant negative correlation (P<0.001) was observed between EDSS and BICAMS scores in all participants (r = -0.778, -0.631, -0.53, and -0.723). Conclusion: Psychological issues frequently occur in patients with multiple sclerosis, affecting their standard of life and inducing distress. Depression and anxiety are common disorders among these patients. A subset of patients exhibited cognitive impairment. Those with more significant deterioration in neurological function generally demonstrate increased cognitive disability. Assessing all cases of multiple sclerosis for psychiatric and cognitive issues is essential.