Initial comparison of descriptive statistics for all clinical variables was performed using either analysis of variance or chi-squared tests, depending on whether the variables were quantitative or categorical. To allow comparison among studies, the ARCS scores were then standardized (to Z scores) using the mean and SD of the normal population reported by Schofield et al. 21 Bivariate linear correlation analysis of standardized ARCS scores was performed using Pearson’s (r) coefficient tests. Because moderate outliers were observed for some of the cognitive variables, we performed a secondary check of the Pearson’s correlation analyses by using Spearman’s (rho) tests, which are robust to outlier effects. These tests yielded results showing consistent strength and significance for all bivariate tests, thus adding confidence that the Pearson’s (r) results were not affected by outliers. For each regression model, we entered each of the mental health measures as the main effect factors so as to approximate the relative contribution of each mental health factor on cognitive function while accounting for the others. Tests for normality of outcome variables were performed using Q-Q plots and Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit tests. These tests showed some modest deviations from normality for language and visual domains, but these were not deemed substantial enough to warrant transformation. e., sex, age at initial assessment, age at diagnosis, disease duration, EDSS, treatment type, MS subtype, annual relapse rate, other mental health medications, and education level. To account for multicolinearity, and so as not to overburden each regression model with too many uninformative parameters, we chose to include all main effect factors and covariates in a step-wise fashion using an algorithm that only retained covariates if they contributed to the overall regression model (p<0.05). In an effort to discern the relative association of the three mood indices from each other, and in relation to the other clinical covariates, we partitioned our regression models to include forced entry of each mood index separately, with all other clinical covariates entered in a step-wise fashion, and forced entry of all three mood indices combined, with all other clinical covariates entered in a step-wise fashion. Because we tested six different hypotheses (i.e., six cognitive function outcomes), we used the Bonferroni correction method to adjust the significance level to 0.008 (i.e., 0.05/6). In addition, we retained results at the “suggestive” level of 0.05 to provide an indication of association trends.
Overall performance
New descriptive attributes with the MS subtypes are provided into the Desk 1. Seventy-9 % of our own cohort was categorized just like the relapsing remitting (RRMS), 14% was basically second progressive (SPMS), and seven% priS) MS. People searching MS-certain immunomodulatory solutions was in fact mostly RRMS customers and you will were getting interferon beta (N=89), glatiramer acetate (N=42), natalizumab (N=25), fingolimod (N=9), dimethyl fumarate (N=4), or no MS immunomodulatory therapy (N=153) in the course of doing the study assessments. SPMS patients have been more mature, got a longer lifetime of condition, and had a top EDSS top than simply its RRMS equivalents from the the time of one’s assessments. With the severity grading conditions per aura directory towards the DASS, 24 the severity of psychological symptoms is https://datingranking.net/sex-sites/ evaluated. Within our MS cohort, 12% out-of customers advertised serious or very serious nervousness, having fourteen% scoring moderate amounts of stress (Profile 1). Thirty-1 percent was being treated which have a great serotonin reuptake substance from the the amount of time off starting intellectual comparison. Centered on all of our concept of intellectual handicap (find more than), 34% of our MS cohort was in fact cognitively dysfunctional.
I as well as included a good amount of probably very important covariates for the for every single of the regression patterns, we
Figure step one. Shipping out-of Temper Indices regarding the Several Sclerosis (MS) Cohort Appearing Size of People at each Level of Severity a good
