Background
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was an ongoing global stress encountered by individuals with preexisting chronic illnesses. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived fears of contracting COVID-19 virus (FCV) infection and to address the associated correlates among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) during the pandemic.
Patients and Methods
A cross-sectional study included a total of 120 Egyptian patients with MS who were followed up at the Zagazig University Neurology Outpatient Clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak between May 1 and October 31, 2020. The participants, consecutively selected by the convenience sampling method, were interviewed using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Expanded Disability Status Scale, and Five-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale for the assessment of FCV, comorbid anxiety, and depressive symptoms, associated fatigability, and levels of disability, respectively.
Results
Around 58% of patients with MS (n= 69) experienced intensified FCV. Those who were unmarried, reporting higher levels of anxiety and depression, diagnosed with primary or secondary progressive MS subtypes, with a longer course of illness, and associated fatigability and disability, were more likely to experience FCV. Comorbid anxiety symptoms were positively correlated with illness duration (r= 0.19, P= 0.039), increased fatigue (r= 0.47, P <0.001), and disability (r= 0.36, P <0.001), while depressive symptoms were positively correlated with increased fatigue (r= 0.37, P <0.001) and disability (r= 0.30, P <0.001).
Conclusions
FCV was prevalent among patients with MS. Being unmarried, heightened anxiety, longer duration of illness, and associated fatigability would predict FCV. Both psychological and physical assessment measures of patients with MS should be regularly implemented.