Anxiety Sensitivity and Its Relation to Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: The role of anxiety sensitivity in the occurrence of clinical anxiety symptoms that accompany medical diseases is increasingly well understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of anxiety sensitivity in the occurrence of clinical anxiety symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted on 105 multiple sclerosis patients aged between 18 and 65 years. Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) were used to assess depression, anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity. Participants with significant levels of anxiety were compared to those who were not anxious.

Results: Anxiety Sensitivity Index total and Anxiety Sensitivity Index cognitive, physical, and social concerns subdomains, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and Hospital Anxiety Depression total scores were significantly higher in the anxious group than the non-anxious group ( < .05). The correlation analysis revealed a positive and significant correlation between the scales that were used to assess anxiety, depression, and anxiety sensitivity ( < .05). Depression levels and Anxiety Sensitivity Index social concerns subdomain remained as the most significant variables in the prediction of anxiety levels (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.17-1.61, < .001 and OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.38, =.0009, respectively).

Conclusion: Anxiety sensitivity is related to the occurrence of clinical anxiety symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients. Depression and Anxiety Sensitivity Index social concerns subdomain predict the occurrence of clinical anxiety symptoms.