Early prognostic factors for disability in multiple sclerosis, a European multicenter study.
The effects of initial clinical variables on short-term prognosis are analyzed in a cross-sectional study of 574 multiple sclerosis patients from 7 centers in 5 European countries. Patients with a primary progressive course had a 2.3 higher mean disability score (EDSS) than the primary remittent group after a mean duration of disease of 6.6 years. High age at onset was associated with a primary progressive course, and was also related to increased risk of a rapid shift to a secondary progressive course. Among the remittent patients without a secondary progressive course a high age at onset was significantly correlated to a higher disability score. In the whole remittent group the presence of pyramidal and cerebellar symptoms at onset predicted both a high disability score and a rapid shift to a secondary progression, while the effect was reverse for sensory and visual symptoms. No difference between the sexes was found.
Riise
T
T
Department of Neurology, University of Bergen, Norway.
Grønning
M
M
Fernández
O
O
Lauer
K
K
Midgard
R
R
Minderhoud
J M
JM
Nyland
H
H
Pálffy
G
G
Poser
S
S
Aarli
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D012737:Sex Factors