Screening for depression in myasthenia gravis

Authors

  • Bakri Elsheikh MD The Ohio State University
  • Obinna Moneme MD
  • Miriam L. Freimer MD
  • John Kissel MD
  • W. David Arnold MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17161/rrnmf.v3i1.15536

Abstract

Introduction: There are conflicting reports of depression prevalence in myasthenia gravis (MG). The influence of somatic symptoms on screening assessments is not apparent. We investigated the frequency of somatic and non-somatic symptoms of depression in MG. We also explored the relationship between depression and MG using disease severity and quality of life measures. Methods: Three cohorts of participants (MG, healthy and disease controls) were prospectively assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory 2 (BDI-II) and BDI-Primary Care (BDI-PC) surveys, modified Rankin Scale, MGFA classification, MG-MMT, MG-ADL and MG-QOL15. Results: A total of 31 MG, 29 disease controls, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. Depression frequency indicated by BDI-II in MG 48% (15/31) and disease control 31% (9/29) was not significantly different [p=0.17]. However, we found a significantly higher frequency than healthy controls 10% (3/30) [p=0.001]. In contrast, depression frequency indicated by BDI-PC was similar in the MG 29% (9/31) and disease controls MG, 24% (7/29)[p=0.77] as well as the healthy controls 10% (3/30) [p=0.08].

Using the BDI-II scale, participants with MG who were depressed had higher scores on MG-MMT, MG-ADL, and MG-QOL15 than those who were not depressed. The difference in MG-ADL and MG-QOL15 scores remained significant using the BDI-PC score. Discussion: These findings suggest depression screening assessments that include physical symptoms overestimate depression in MG and chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorders. A higher frequency of self-reported depression is associated with increasing disease severity and low quality of life.

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Published

2022-03-11

Issue

Section

New Discoveries and Original Research

How to Cite

Elsheikh, B., Moneme, O., Freimer , M. ., Kissel , J. ., & Arnold , W. D. . (2022). Screening for depression in myasthenia gravis. RRNMF Neuromuscular Journal, 3(1), 13-18. https://doi.org/10.17161/rrnmf.v3i1.15536