Age-related comparisons of people with multiple sclerosis: demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the demographic characteristics and health care needs of younger people with MS differ from older people with MS.


METHODS
The study analyzed enrollment data from the NARCOMS Registry to compare 1,987 younger adults with MS (30 years and younger) to 29,245 other adults with MS (over 30 years).


METHODS
Analyses of the NARCOMS data focused on descriptive characteristics of these adults with MS, using a t-test to identify any statistically significant age-related differences in means and a chi-squared test to identify any statistically significant age-related differences in proportions.


RESULTS
A significantly larger proportion of younger adults with MS were female and African American compared to other adults with MS. We found significant age-related differences in the expression of physical disability domains but few significant age-related differences in symptoms of depression. We also observed significant age-related differences in the utilization of health providers, with larger proportions of other adults with MS treated by internists, urologists, rehabilitation specialists, and physical and occupational therapists.


CONCLUSIONS
The comprehensive care of younger adults with MS should include monitoring for mental health conditions and the availability of mental health services.
Buchanan
Robert J
RJ
Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Mississippi State University, MS 39762, USA. RBuchanan@ps.msstate.edu
Chakravorty
Bonnie J
BJ
Tyry
Tuula
T
Hatcher
William
W
Vollmer
Timothy
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D003710:Demography; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult