title: Multiple sclerosis in Australia: prognostic factors.
abstract: In order to determine the influence of age of onset, sex, onset symptoms, clinical course and interval from onset to first relapse on the subsequent outcome of multiple sclerosis (MS), data from 2934 cases of MS documented in a large population based study undertaken in Australia have been analysed. Disability on prevalence day (30 June 1981) was defined on the Kurtzke disability scale as mild (DSS 0-3), moderate (DSS 4-6) and severe (DSS 7-9). Prognostic factors associated with mild vs moderate/severe, and moderate vs severe disability on prevalence day were identified by logistic regression analysis. A worse prognosis was significantly associated with older age of onset, progressive disease course, onset symptoms that were multiple, pyramidal or cerebellar, and a short interval between onset and first relapse.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Macaskill
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: English
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011379:Prognosis