Risk of depression and anxiety in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A nationwide cohort study in South Korea

Background: We investigated the risks of depression/anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) or patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (pwNMOSD). Objectives: MS/NMOSD cohorts were collected from Korean National Health Insurance Service, using the International Classification of Diseases-10th and information on Rare Intractable Disease program. Patients who were younger than 20 years, had a previous depression/anxiety, or died in the index year were excluded. Methods: Hazard ratios (HRs) of depression/anxiety in pwMS and pwNMOSD from controls matched 1:5 for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were calculated using Cox regressions with a 1-year lag period and estimated over time. Results: During a mean follow-up of 4.1 years, adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for depression were 3.25 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.59–4.07) in MS and 2.17 (1.70–2.76) in NMOSD, and aHRs for anxiety were 1.83 (1.49–2.23) in MS and 1.56 (1.26–1.91) in NMOSD. The risks of anxiety/depression did not differ between MS and NMOSD and were highest in the second year after diagnosis of MS/NMOSD. The relative risk of depression was higher in younger pwMS/pwNMOSD, and the relative risk of anxiety was higher in pwMS who was male, had low income, or lived in a non-urban area. Conclusion: The risk of depression and anxiety was increased in pwMS/pwNMOSD.