Affective and psychotic disorders in multiple sclerosis

Introduction. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the second most important cause of disability of a neurological origin in young adults. Both the physical and the psychiatric (affective and psychotic disorders) clinical signs and symptoms have a negative impact on the patients' health-related quality of life. Aim. To shed light on the prevalence and pathogenesis of the affective and psychotic symptoms present in MS. Development. This review includes an update of the most significant studies published in the literature that have analysed the prevalence and pathogenesis of affective and psychotic signs and symptoms in patients with MS. The evidence available to date was reviewed in order to explore the association between the affective and psychotic symptoms of MS. Conclusions. Depression is the most frequent psychiatric disorder in MS. Further research is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms that can trigger affective and psychotic symptoms in MS. Controlling those symptoms in patients with MS could improve their health-related quality of life.