title: The morbidity of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Although the clinical course of multiple sclerosis is benign in up to one-third of patients, it is important to recognize the high rate of morbidity in others. Most individuals pass through a remitting phase but in a significant proportion the clinical manifestations subsequently recur, persist or slowly progress, and disability accumulates with time. Here we describe the frequency and spectrum of morbidity in a population based cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis. These statistics will guide those providing health care resources and planning services for patients with multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Dundee Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Swingler
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Compston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology