The Frequency of Depressive Symptoms in Iraq in Patients with Recent Diagnosis of Relapsing- Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

Background: Depression is a common psychiatric comorbidity among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially affecting quality of life, treatment adherence, and disease outcomes. Early identification of depressive symptoms is essential for comprehensive patient management. Objective: To assess the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms among Iraqi patients recently diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Yarmook and Baghdad Teaching Hospitals between June and December 2025. Fifty newly diagnosed RRMS patients who had not received disease-modifying therapies were included. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the PHQ-9, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age was 30.60 ± 11.65 years, while the mean PHQ-9 score was 5.62 ± 4.44. Minimal depressive symptoms were observed in 44% of patients, mild symptoms in 40%, moderate symptoms in 12%, moderately severe symptoms in 2%, and severe symptoms in 2%. Anhedonia, sleep disturbances, and fatigue were frequently reported, whereas suicidal thoughts occurred in 2% of patients. Conclusion: Although most newly diagnosed RRMS patients experienced minimal or mild depressive symptoms, 16% demonstrated moderate to severe symptoms. Routine depression screening and early psychological assessment are recommended.