title: VHA Multiple Sclerosis Surveillance Registry and its similarities to other contemporary multiple sclerosis cohorts.
abstract: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has provided important contributions to our understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS); however, the characteristics of the modern VHA MS population have not been adequately characterized. Our objectives were to compare and contrast characteristics of the VHA MS population with other contemporary MS cohorts. A cross-sectional, mail-based survey of a stratified, random sample of 3,905 VHA users with MS was conducted. Detailed demographic and clinical data were collected as well as patient-reported outcomes assessing disability and quality of life. A total of 1,379 Veterans were enrolled into the MS Surveillance Registry (MSSR). Respondents did not differ from nonrespondents with regard to demographics or region. When compared to several other contemporary MS cohorts, some demographic differences were noted; however, the age of MS onset and diagnosis, subtype distribution, and most prevalent symptoms were very similar across MS cohorts. The MSSR appears to be representative of the general MS population. Combining the extensive VHA health services encounter data with the MSSR provides a rich and unique cohort for study.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence-East, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Culpepper
authors.forename: Mitchell T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Wallin
authors.forename: Laurence S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Magder
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perencevich
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Royal
authors.forename: Douglas D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Bradham
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cutter
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Bever
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058014:Veterans Health
keywords: MS; MS characteristics; MS cohort; MS population; MSSR; Veterans; Veterans Health Administration; epidemiology; multiple sclerosis; surveillance registry