Psychiatric aspects of multiple sclerosis

A consecutive sample of 50 patients with a diagnosis of definite multiple sclerosis was evaluated by means of the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS) and other psychopathological instruments. A global prevalence of psychopathology of 54% was found, with the prevalence of depression being 22%. Moreover, 46% of the sample presented signs indicative of neuropsychological deterioration in the Benton Visual Retention Test. The association between the presence of psychopathology and the social and neurological characteristics of the sample was also investigated, with results of low significance.