Investigation of depression, coping with stress, and sleep quality according to relapse status in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

The aim of the study was to investigate depression, coping with stress and sleep quality in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients according to relapse status. A total of 74 patients (35.27±8.06 years) with RRMS were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients were separated into two groups as relapse group (n=37) and non-relapse group (n=37) within 6 months. Depression level, mood and other psychological stress coping level and sleep quality level of the patients were evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Ways of Coping with Stress Inventory (WCSI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the relapse group and non-relapse group in BDI and PSQI scores (for both, p<0.001). There was a considerable statistically difference between the two groups in terms of self-confidence, submissive, helples styles and optimistic scores of WCSI subscales, no statistically significant difference was observed in seeking of social support subscale (social support subscale; p=0.497, other subscales; p<0.001). A moderate positive correlation was observed between PSQI and BDI scores (r=0.593, p<0.001). PSQI and BDI scores showed a moderate negative correlation with self-confident (r=-0.558, r=-0.642, p<0.001, respectively) and optimistic scores of WCSI subscales (r=-0.413, r=-0.456, p<0.05, respectively) whereas a moderate positive correlation was observed with submissive (r=0.426, p<0.05; r=0.537, p<0.001, respectively), and helpless styles scores (r=0.531, r=0.573, p<0.001, respectively). In the 6-month period, it was determined that depression and sleep quality were lower and coping with stress was better in RRMS patients who did not relapse compared to those who did. Increasing depression may reduce sleep quality and stress coping levels in RRMS patients.