Relationship between depression, quality of life, and religiosity in multiple sclerosis patients in a tertiary care center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Wid E. Kattan, Basim T. Almalki, Omar I. Aljohani, Hattan Y. Bamagaus, Badr N. Alareeshe, Mohammad M. Al-Faidi, Abdulaziz J. Alshehri, Sulhi Ali AlfakehABSTRACT
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with disability and a decline in health-related quality of life (QoL). Patients with chronic illnesses often rely on religious coping; however, its impact within MS population remains unclear. This study aims to determine the association between depression severity, health-related QoL, and religious coping in MS patients.
Materials and Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study conducted between January 2022 and January 2023 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia, involving MS patients. Eighty-six MS patients were recruited. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). QoL was evaluated using the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54), and religiosity was measured with the General Religiousness Index. Clinical and demographic data including MSQoL-54 subscale scores and religiosity were analyzed in relation to PHQ-9. Correlation analyses, group comparisons between depressed and nondepressed participants, and regression analyses were performed to explore the predictors of QoL and associations with PHQ-9 scores.
Results:
The mean age of participants was 34.1 years, with 72.1% classified as depressed. The average onset age was 26.3 years, and the disease duration was 8.8 years. Majority (91.9%) had relapsing–remitting MS, and 76.7% were on disease-modifying therapy. Older onset age was significantly associated with depression (
Conclusions:
Depression and reduced QoL are highly prevalent among MS patients. Routine depression screening and targeted psychosocial interventions are essential to improving QoL among MS individuals.