Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

Explore the latest content from across our publications
Join The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

Log In

Forgot Password?
Create New Account

Loading... please wait

Abstract Details

Psychiatric Comorbidities in Multiple Sclerosis among Different Racial and Ethnic Groups: A Nationwide Survey
Multiple Sclerosis
P10 - Poster Session 10 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)
9-019

We aimed to assess patient-reported mental health (MH) measures and perceptions of need/access in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). We hypothesized that population-level racial/ethnic disparities would be reflected or exacerbated in MS. 
While there are known inequities in MH care among racial/ethnic minorities, little is known about these disparities in MS.
We developed a survey (English and Spanish) including assessments of health-seeking behaviors, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Survey invitations were distributed electronically by MS organizations. Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, t-test, and Chi-squared.
2246 persons (2100 Caucasian [CA], 143 African-American [AA]; 125 Hispanic [H]; age 51.2±12.3) completed the survey. 69.8% had moderate-to-severe depression, 26.3% had moderate-to-severe anxiety, 9.5% used drugs or medications for recreational use in the past month, 19.6% had risky-to-severe alcohol use, and 12.5% had suicidal thoughts in the prior 2 weeks. Mean PHQ-9 scores differed among ethnic (H 9.3±6.7, Non-Hispanics [NH] 8.3±6.2, unknown [UN] 10.5±6.35 [p=0.04]) and racial (AA 9.6±0.6, CA 8.2±0.1 [p=0.009]) groups. Mean GAD-7 scores differed among H 8.3±6.0, NH 6.3±5.7, and UN 6.3±6.0 (p=0.001). 40% of H had moderate-to-severe anxiety compared to 25.5% of NH (p=0.001). Mean AUDIT scores differed among AA 1.6±0.2 and CA 2.5±0.1 (p=0.003). Risky-to-severe alcohol consumption was more common in CA (20.5%) compared to AA (9.8%) (p=0.01). H (18.4%) and UN (19%) had higher rates of suicidal thoughts in the prior 2 weeks compared to CA (12.1%) (p=0.003). In the past year, 59.2% of H felt the need to see a MH provider compared to 48% of NH (p=<0.001). 33.6% of H have an MH provider compared to 26.3% of NH (p=0.001). 
We confirm multiple racial/ethnic differences in prevalence/perceptions of MH disorders in MS; addressing these healthcare disparities may improve overall care in persons with MS.
Authors/Disclosures

PRESENTER 		No disclosure on file
Carolina Ionete, MD (UMass Memorial) Dr. Ionete has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. Dr. Ionete has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Zenas. Dr. Ionete has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Sanofi. The institution of Dr. Ionete has received research support from Genetech. The institution of Dr. Ionete has received research support from NIH.
Christopher Hemond, MD (University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center) The institution of Dr. Hemond has received research support from Consorium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers. The institution of Dr. Hemond has received research support from National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Hemond has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Member of Data Safety and Monitoring Board with National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke of the National Institutes of Health.
Idanis Berrios Morales, MD (University of Massachusetts Medical School) Dr. Berrios Morales has nothing to disclose.
Raffaella Umeton, MD, PhD, MMSc Dr. Umeton has nothing to disclose.
Daniela A. Pimentel Maldonado, MD, MSCR (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) Dr. Pimentel Maldonado has nothing to disclose.