Research Article
Outcomes of a Peer Support Program in Multiple Sclerosis in an Australian Community Cohort: A Prospective Study
Table 1
Sociodemographic characteristics of participants (
).
| | Characteristics | , (%)
(unless stated different) |
| | Age (years) [mean (SD), range] | 51.8 (9.3), 28–66.8 | | Sex female | 21 (63.6) | | Marital status | | | Married/partner | 21 (63.6) | | Single/divorced/separated/widow | 12 (36.4) | | Living with | | | Alone | 7 (16.3) | | Partner/family | 36 (83.7) | | Employment | 8 (24.2) | | Disease duration (years) [Md, (IQR)] | 16.0 (9.0, 23.0) | | MS type | | | RR | 13 (39.4) | | PP | 4 (12.1) | | SP | 16 (48.5) | | PR | 0 (0.0) | | Currently on antidepressant medication | 29 (87.9) | | Support group attendance | 14 (42.4) | | Received counselling | 7 (21.2) | | Counselling source | 11 (26.2) | | SW | 1 (3.0) | | Psychologists | 4 (12.1) | | Psychiatrist | 1 (3.0) | | Other | 1 (3.0) | | Previous rehabilitation | 20 (60.6) | | DASS group: (, %) | | | Depression | | | Normal/mild | 23 (69.7) | | Moderate/severe/extreme severe | 10 (30.3) | | Anxiety | | | Normal/mild | 23 (69.7) | | Moderate/severe/extreme severe | 10 (30.3) | | Stress | | | Normal/mild | 28 (84.8) | | Moderate/severe/extreme severe | 5 (15.2) |
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DASS: Depression Anxiety Stress Scale; IQR: interquartile range; Md: median; MS: multiple sclerosis; : total number; SD: standard deviation; RR: relapsing remitting; PP: primary progressive; SP: secondary progressive; PR: progressive relapsing.
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