Depression and sedentary behaviour in women with multiple sclerosis

Depression affects around 50% of people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) during their lifetime. PwMS are typically less physically active and spend twice as much time engaging in sedentary behaviour compared to the general population. Therefore, a better understanding of the factors associated with depression in pwMS, as well as the relationship between depression and sedentary behaviour and physical activity, is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies MS treatment. This study aimed to investigate whether the presence of depressive symptoms in pwMS is related to a longer duration of sedentary behaviour. Specially, the study assessed the relationship between depression and sedentary behaviour in women with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). The sample for this cross-sectional study consisted of 78 women, including 38 with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (EDSS 1 to 3) and 40 healthy women. The study evaluated the depression and time in sedentary behaviour, levels of physical activity and subjective fatigue in three groups: women without MS (CG), women with MS and depression (MSD), and women with MS without depression (MSND). We found significant differences in sedentary behaviour time when comparing the group of women with MS to the group with MS and depression. The logistic regression analysis presents depression as a factor associated with sedentary behaviour in women with MS. This association became even stronger after adjustment in the multivariate model (odds ratio=1.62; 95% CI (1.13-2.64); p=0.021). Despite no differences in clinical disabilities (EDSS) or physical activity levels between the two MS subgroups (MSD and MSND), we observed a longer duration of sedentary behaviour among participants with MS and depression. There was no association with the level of physical activity. This suggests a relationship between depression and sedentary behaviour in women with MS, independent of the level of physical activity. Prolonged sedentary behaviour is a risk factor for other comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of addressing both depression and sedentary behaviour in the management of MS. Studies that examine the amount of time pwMS spend in sedentary behaviour in various countries are crucial for developing more effective strategies tailored to different ethnicities and cultures.