Routine Depression Screening in an MS Clinic and Its Association with Provider Treatment Recommendations and Related Treatment Outcome

Depression, a frequent concomitant disorder in multiple sclerosis (MS), can impact MS treatment adherence and quality of life. Depression screening in MS care settings may facilitate needed intervention when providers are responsive to screening findings. This study sought to examine the relationship between depression screening results and provider depression treatment recommendations documented in the medical records of 283 patients receiving care in an integrated MS clinic. Forty-six percent of patients screening positive for depression received a treatment recommendation; females, those with past mental health diagnoses, on psychotropic medications, and those with higher symptom severity were more likely to receive a treatment recommendation. On subsequent screenings, patients reported fewer depressive symptoms regardless of whether a formal treatment recommendation was documented. These findings suggest that while depression screening does lead to depression related intervention in many cases, more research is necessary to determine who is most likely to benefit and under what conditions.