Longitudinal study of the symptom checklist 90-revised in multiple sclerosis patients.

The current study examined the 3-year longitudinal course of psychopathology reported by 53 definite MS patients, then assessed for clinical elevations. Across SCL-90-R scales, only 9-21% of patients' scores changed. Intercorrelations among Time 1 and Time 2 were significant (p < .01). Clinical elevations on the scales ranged from 26% (anxiety) to 52% (somatization). Consistent with studies of depression, results demonstrated that other types of psychopathology are very stable over time. Because a relatively high percentage of patients displayed clinical elevations across the scales over time, this study suggests that the stability of psychopathology in MS patients is of clinical concern.