Abstract Details

Title Impact of Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Longitudinal Severity of Depression in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis – A Single Site Analysis

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P10 - Poster Session 10 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 12-010

Background Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased mental health needs in the U.S.; this impact may be more significant for patients facing stricter isolation due to chronic illnesses, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Objective To determine the impact of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic on the severity of depression in Multiple Sclerosis Patient-Centered Specialty Practice (MS-PCSP) patients at Georgetown University.

Design/Methods This study proposed an addition to the MS-Advance Study; patients seen in MS-PCSP at Georgetown University were screened for depression using the Neuro-QOL and PHQ-9 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This cohort was included in the study sample as baseline data was available for comparison. We interviewed all index survey respondents who completed at least one Neuro-QOL and one PHQ-9 in that study (n=220). Participants verbally completed a Neuro-QOL survey, PHQ-9 survey and a unique COVID-specific questionnaire. A generalized linear mixed model analysis was used to compare the pre- and post-COVID-19 results.

Results Overall, patients had lower cumulative Neuro-QOL scores (anxiety, depression, fatigue) during the July – October 2020 COVID-19 pandemic wave, and these differences were statistically significant (p-value = 0.017, n = 114). For patients who were females, white or ages ≥55 years, there was a corresponding 4.08, 4.36 and 4.40 unit decrease in Neuro-QOL cumulative score, respectively. When we looked for correlations among variables, we found that there was no significant relationship between history of mood disorders or use of mood stabilizers and PHQ-9/Neuro-QOL scores.

Conclusions In this study, participants presented with a lower severity of depressive symptoms during July – October 2020. This was counterintuitive to what we predicted. We have been able to identify several factors that may explain these results, including decreased burden of travel for work and increased availability of time with family.

Authors/Disclosures
Magdalena Lana (Cedars-Sinai) PRESENTER	Miss Lana has nothing to disclose.
Alexis Ahmad	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Carlo S. Tornatore, MD (Medstar Georgetown University Hospital)	Dr. Tornatore has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Serono. Dr. Tornatore has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. Dr. Tornatore has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Tornatore has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen.