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Table 1 Independent variables, categorisation criteria and characteristics of 199 PwMS completing the BDI at one or several time points

From: Variations in and predictors of the occurrence of depressive symptoms and mood symptoms in multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal two-year study

Independent variables and methods used

Categorisation criteria

Characteristics of the sample, n (%)

Sex

Female

135 (68)

Male

64 (32)

Agea

<47 years

102 (51)

≥47 years

97 (49)

Coping capacity

  Sense of Coherence scale b

Weak, < 55

23 (12)

Moderate/Strong, ≥ 55

176 (88)

Work statusc

  Interview

Working, full- or part-time

115 (58)

Not working

68 (34)

Retired

16 (8)

Disease severity

  Expanded Disability Status Scale

 (EDSS)d

EDSS mild

0.0–3.5

125 (63)

EDSS moderate

4.0–5.5

35 (17.5)

EDSS severe

6.0–9.5

39 (19.5)

Disease course

Relapsing remitting course

122 (61)

Primary or secondary progressive course

77 (39)

Fatigue

  Fatigue Severity Scale

Non-fatigue

≤4.0

67 (34)

Borderline fatigue

4.0 < FSS < 5.0

32 (16)

Fatigue

≥5.0

100 (50)

Cognitive function

  Symbol Digit Modalities Test e

No impairment

104 (52)

Impairment

95 (48)

Frequency of social/lifestyle activities

  Frenchay Activities Index f

Normal

111 (56)

Reduced

88 (44)

Perceived physical impact of MS

  Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale g

Small impact

100 (50)

Large impact

99 (50)

Perceived psychological impact of MS

  Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale g

Small impact

92 (46)

Large impact

107 (54)

  1. aThe mean age of the sample at baseline
  2. bSex-related norms [30]
  3. cWork status: applied if < 65 years of age, the customary retirement age in Sweden, n = 183
  4. dThe categorisation applied in the Swedish MS Registry
  5. eAge-related norms [33], written or oral reply, −1.5 SD [33]
  6. fAge- and sex-related norms [34], < lower quartile at baseline
  7. gCategorised according to the median of its distribution in the sample at baseline