Table 1.
Description of the study sample
| Characteristics | Mean or number |
|---|---|
| Age** | 35.66 (30.75–40) |
| Gender (female)* | 232 (81.7%) |
| Education* | |
| Middle school degree | 10 (3.5%) |
| High school diploma | 64 (22.5%) |
| Associate/bachelor degree | 149 (52.5%) |
| Graduate degree | 59 (20.8%) |
| Marital status* | |
| Single | 93 (32.7%) |
| Married | 155 (54.6%) |
| Divorced | 34 (12%) |
| Employment (yes)* | 108 (38%) |
| MS type* | |
| CIS | 19 (6.7%) |
| RRMS | 197 (69.4%) |
| PPMS | 22 (7.7%) |
| SPMS | 46 (16.2%) |
| Disease duration** | 7.36 (3–10) |
| Treatment duration** | 6.21 (3–9) |
| Drug* | |
| Immunomodulator | 160 (56.3%) |
| Immunosuppressive | 122 (43%) |
| Hospital admissions** | 2.23 (0–2) |
| EDSS** | 2.88 (1.5–4) |
| Past psychiatric history* | 56 (19.7%) |
| COVID-19 infection* | 26 (9.2%) |
| BDI** | 14.54 (6–19) |
| BAI** | 17.13 (8–25) |
*Qualitative variables reported as number (percent)
**Quantitative variables with abnormal distribution reported as mean (first and third quartiles)
CIS, clinically isolated syndrome; RRMS, relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis; PPMS, primary progressive multiple sclerosis; SPMS, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis; EDSS, expanded disability status scale; BDI, Beck depression inventory; BAI, Beck anxiety inventory.