Exploring predictors of anxiety in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of anxiety and examined demographic, clinical, and psychological factors associated with anxiety in 80 persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwMS) compared to 80 matched healthy controls. Disease severity was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Participants completed validated questionnaires measuring anxiety, depression, alexithymia, psychological resilience, and stigma. Relative to controls, pwMS exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and alexithymia, with no significant differences in resilience. Hierarchical regression analyses identified depression and stigma as the strongest predictors of anxiety. Given the high correlation between depression and anxiety, a secondary analysis excluding depression revealed stigma and resilience as significant predictors. These results indicate that anxiety in pwMS is influenced by multiple psychological and social factors beyond depression. Based on these findings, the study suggests that interventions addressing both psychological and social dimensions may be important for managing anxiety in this population.