Perceived stress and social support in a large population of people with multiple sclerosis recruited online through the COVID‐19 pandemic

Background and purpose The COVID-19 emergency may cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with regard to people MS (pwMS) chronic exposure a wide range of challenging life events has been shown be correlated worsening neurological symptoms, increased lesion burden on brain magnetic resonance imaging relapses. aim was investigate perceived stress, depression, social support, habits behaviour changes in pwMS through comparison control group. Methods A web-based survey posted SMsocialnetwork.com (using the Perceived Stress Scale), depression (with Patient Health Questionnaire 2) support Social Provision Scale 10 item) group pandemic. secondary migraine investigated. Results In all, 1286 answers from 612 674 were included final analysis. 318 for higher proportion depressed (43.1% vs. 23.1%; p < 0.001), had high level (58% 39.8%; 0.001) felt significantly less (median 33 35; Q1–Q3 28–36 32–37; compared percentage (50% 43%, = 0.04) pwMS. Conclusions Considering negative impact that prolonged have clinical radiological disease activity pwMS, bearing mind beneficial effect demonstrated achieved management, it is suggested promote these patients during