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Psychosocial issue in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis

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Abstract

In adult-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) cases, major depression, fatigue and psychological distress are common, whereas there is little information on these issues in children with the disease. The aim of this study was to assess psychosocial disorders in an Italian cohort of children and adolescent with MS. We evaluated 56 patients through self-assessment scales of depression (Children Depression Inventory) and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), a psychiatric interview [Kiddie-SADS-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL)] and an interview on school and everyday activities. Significant fatigue was found in 11 patients (20%). Twelve of the 39 patients who underwent the K-SADS-PL received a formal diagnosis of an affective disorder. Moreover, MS affected school activities in 28% of cases, daily living activities in 41% and social relationships in 28%. Our study confirms the critical role of psychosocial difficulties in children and adolescents with MS and provides a few cues to clinical management.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported in part by a grant of Biogen-Dompè.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    B. Goretti, E. Portaccio, V. Zipoli, L. Razzolini & M. P. Amato

  2. MS Centre, Hospital of Gallarate, Gallarate, Italy

    A. Ghezzi & M. Roscio

  3. Department of Neurophysiopathology, Hospital of Careggi, Florence, Italy

    S. Lori

  4. Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy

    L. Moiola, M. Falautano & G. Comi

  5. Department of Neurology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

    M. F. De Caro, R. Viterbo & M. Trojano

  6. Department of Neurology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    F. Patti & R. Vecchio

  7. Department of Neurological Sciences, “La Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy

    C. Pozzilli & V. Bianchi

Authors
  1. B. Goretti
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  2. A. Ghezzi
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  3. E. Portaccio
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  4. S. Lori
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  5. V. Zipoli
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  6. L. Razzolini
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  7. L. Moiola
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  8. M. Falautano
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  9. M. F. De Caro
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  10. R. Viterbo
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  11. F. Patti
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  12. R. Vecchio
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  13. C. Pozzilli
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  14. V. Bianchi
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  15. M. Roscio
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  16. G. Comi
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  17. M. Trojano
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  18. M. P. Amato
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Goretti.

Additional information

For the Study Group of the Italian Neurological Society.

The members of the Study Group of the Italian Neurological Society are listed in the Appendix.

Appendix

Appendix

Multiple Sclerosis Study Group of the Italian Neurological Society

M.P. Amato, B. Goretti, V. Zipoli, E. Portaccio, L. Razzolini, S. Centorrino, V. Contri (Department of Neurology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy); S. Lori (Department of Neurophysiopathology, Hospital of Careggi, Florence, Italy); M. Falcini (Neurological Unit, Hospital of Prato, Italy); G. Comi, L. Moiola, M. Falautano (Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy); M. Trojano, M.F. De Caro, R. Viterbo (Department of Neurology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy); F. Patti, R. Vecchio (Department of Neurology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy); P. Gallo, P. Grossi (Department of Neurology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy); A. Bertolotto, M. Borghi (MS Centre, Hospital S Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, Turin, Italy); C. Pozzilli, V. Bianchi (Department of Neurological Sciences, “La Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy); I. Manca, C. Masia (Hospital of Sassari, Sassari, Italy); R. Bergamaschi, P. Veggiotti (Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurological Institute C. Mondino, Pavia, Italy); A. Ghezzi, M. Roscio (MS Centre, Hospital of Gallarate, Gallarate, Italy).

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Goretti, B., Ghezzi, A., Portaccio, E. et al. Psychosocial issue in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis. Neurol Sci 31, 467–470 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0281-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0281-x

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