title: [Clinical features of 314 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immunomodulatory drugs (IMD), Interferon β1a, β1 b and glatiramer acetate are available in the Chilean public health system since June 2008 for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS). Diagnostic confirmation and programmed follow up of these patients is carried out at a public national reference center.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the epidemiological and clinical features of 314 patients evaluated in this center between 2008 and 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of clinical records, to obtain information about demographic background, medical history, expanded disability status scale of Kurtzke (EDSS), multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSfic), intensity fatigue scale of Krupp, Raos Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BNR-R) and anxious-depressive manifestations using Hamilton and Beck questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ages of patients ranged from 12 to 63 years and 67% were women. The initial symptoms were sensory disturbances in 20%, motor alterations in 18% and optical neuritis in 16%. In 9% of patients, the disease began with several manifestations. The EDSS was 4 or less in 73% of patients and cognitive impairment was observed in 34%. Treatment failure during the first and second years, occurred in 23 and 26% of patients, respectively. Male gender, age under 40 and brainstem malfunction at the onset of disease, were predictive of treatment failure during the second year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The features of these patients are very similar to those reported abroad.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nogales-Gaete
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aracena
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cepeda-Zumaeta
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eloiza
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agurto
authors.forename: Vannia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Labbé
authors.forename: Séfora
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Jazmín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: Casandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Araya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002677:Chile; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors