CHARACTERIZATION OF MAJOR DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

Retrospective review of affective disturbances in 238 patients with mu litple sclerosis (MS) seen over a 6-month period revealed: 1) 51 patie nts (22%) received pharmacologic treatment for depressive symptoms dur ing or within 4 years of the study period, and 17 (7%) received treatm ent for rapid mood swings; 2) among the 51 depressed patients, respons e rate to medication was extremely high; 3) relapse of depressive symp tomatology after discontinuation of medication was also high (17/29); 4) first episodes of major depression frequently occurred during perio ds of MS progression or exacerbation, but first episodes also occurred during periods of relative clinical stability; 5) suicidal ideation w as common (12 patients), but only 1 patient had a history of attempted suicide; and 6) side effects were tolerable in most patients.