Multiple Sclerosis and Depression: Translation and Adaptation of the Spanish Version of the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory and the Study of Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms

Objective: Depressive disorder occurs in up to 50% of persons with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Accurate assessment of depression in MS is essential in clinical settings because depressive symptomatology can affect the clinical course of the disease. Methods: We translated, adapted, and tested the Spanish version of the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory (CMDI), a specific test to assess depression in neurological disorders. We compare our results with those obtained with previous versions of the questionnaire (English and Italian). Finally, we also analyze the relationship between the results obtained on the CMDI and demographic, clinical, and cognitive variables. Results: The results obtained with the Spanish version of the CMDI were similar to those observed in previous published versions. We also observed higher depression scores in PwMS (especially in progressive forms) compared with healthy controls. Moreover, depression symptomatology was related to higher disability and fatigue and worse cognitive performance in PwMS. Conclusions: The results support the validity of the CDMI in the Spanish population, as well as the association between depression and other characteristic symptoms of MS. These findings also emphasize the importance of good assessment and multidisciplinary treatment of depression in PwMS.