Table 1.
Characteristics of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), study design, and measures of stress for primary studies included in meta-analysis
| Study | No of participants | Mean age | Female (%) | Design | Length of follow up | Exacerbation criterion | Stress measure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren, 198215 | 200 (100 with MS, 100 medical controls) | N/A | 56.5 | Case-control | — | Neurologist confirmation | Modification of validated checklist |
| Franklin, 198816 | 55 with MS | 34.9 | 88.9 | Prospective | Mean 20 months | Neurologist confirmation | Validated interview |
| Grant, 198917 | 79 (39 with MS, 40 healthy controls) | 35.65 | 74.4 | Case-control | — | Neurologist confirmation | Validated interview |
| Warren, 199118 | 190 with MS (95 with exacerbation, 95 in remission) | 35.0 | 56.5 | Case-control | — | Neurologist confirmation | Validated checklist |
| Gaiatto, 199219 | 42 with MS (20 with exacerbation, 22 stable) | 49.5 | 70.0 | Case-control | — | Neurologist confirmation | Validated checklist |
| Nisipeanu, 199320 | 32 with MS | 38.2 | 56.3 | Prospective | 26 months | Neurologist confirmation | Single traumatic event |
| Stip, 199421 | 68 (35 with MS, 33 medical controls) | 42.5 | 60.0 | Case-control | — | Neurologist confirmation | Validated checklist |
| Morrison, 1994212 | 17 with MS | 73.4 | 73.4 | Prospective | Mean 24 months | 0.5 increase on EDSS | Modification of validated checklist |
| Gasperini, 199523 | 178 with MS (89 with exacerbation, 89 stable controls) | 35.6 | 69.7 | Case-control | — | 1.0 increase on EDSS | Unvalidated questionnaire |
| Sibley, 199724 | 304 (170 with MS, 134 healthy controls) | 41.5 | 62.5 | Prospective | Mean 5.2 years | Neurologist confirmation | Unvalidated interview |
| Palumbo, 199825 | 92 (65 with MS, 27 medical control) | 45.0 | 61.5 | Case-control | — | Neurologist confirmation | Unvalidated questionnaire |
| Mohr, 200026 | 36 with MS | 44.0 | 61.1 | Prospective | Mean 10 months | 1.0 increase on EDSS | Modification of validated checklist |
| Ackerman, 200327 | 50 with MS | 39.4 | 100 | Prospective | 12 months | Patient report and retrospective neurologist confirmation | Validated/interview |
| Buljevac, 200328 | 73 with RRMS | 39.9 | 76.7 | Prospective | Mean 17 months | Neurologist confirmation | Weekly diary |
EDDS= expanded disability status score; N/A=not available; RRMS= relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.