The association between fingolimod and mental health outcomes in a cohort of Multiple Sclerosis patients with stress

O.S. Gammoh, A. Al-Smadi, A. Alqudah, S. Al-Habahbeh, F. Weshah, W. Ennab, A.-E. Al-Shudifat, M.-H. Bjørk

Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan. omar.gammoh@yu.edu.jo

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• Psychiatry

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to study the association between fingolimod and the frequency of depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms among a cohort of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients with stress. The secondary objective was to examine the association between patient characteristics and these psychiatric symptoms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with MS and stress were recruited according to the Arabic version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Psychiatric outcomes were measured by validated scales. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data from 324 participants were analyzed.

RESULTS: Fingolimod was associated with a significantly lower adjusted odds ratio for depression (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.97, p<0.05) but less associated with anxiety (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.35-1.01, p=0.05) and insomnia (aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.52-1.51, p=0.64).

CONCLUSIONS: Close monitoring of mental health is required for patients with MS using disease-modifying therapies.

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