Social Anxiety in a Multiple Sclerosis Clinic Population

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of social anxiety in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study explored the prevalence of social anxiety and its association with demographic and clinical features in a clinic-attending sample of MS patients living in the community. Methods: Patients attending the Dalhousie MS Research Unit for regularly scheduled visits during a four month interval were asked to complete the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), as well as the Mark III version of the Health Utilities Index (HUI) for assessment of perceived health-related quality of life. Neurological disability was determined by neurologist ratings on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results: 251 patients agreed to complete self-report scales of symptoms of anxiety and depression and 245 (98%) provided sufficient data for analysis. 30.6 % (n = 75) of the sample had clinically significant social anxiety symptoms as defined by a SPIN threshold of 19. Neurological disability did not differ between these groups. Half of those with social anxiety also had general anxiety (HADSA> 11) and a quarter ha