Table 1.
Clinical characteristics and group comparisons.
| All patients | Benign MS | Aggressive MS | p value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of patients | 35 | 20 | 15 | |
| Age at MS onset, years (mean ± SD) | 31.5 ± 9.45 | 28.33 ± 4.29 | 35.74 ± 12.58 | 0.15 |
| Female, n (%) | 21 (60%) | 14 (70%) | 7 (46.7%) | 0.16 |
| Total follow-up time, years [median (IQR)] | 19.79 (15.89–24.57) |
17.33 (14.54–22.18) |
21.6 (18.55–24.77) |
0.06 |
| ARR [median (IQR)] | 0.28 (0.16-0.40) |
0.23 (0.15-0.30) |
0.40 (0.16-0.56) |
0.015* |
| EDSS at last follow-up [median (IQR)] | 2 (1.5–7.5) | 1.5 (1.25–1.5) | 7.5 (7–8) | <0.001* |
| MSSS at last follow-up (mean ± SD) | 3.8 ± 3.68 | 0.73 ± 0.41 | 7.89 ± 1.14 | <0.001* |
| ARMSS score at last follow-up (mean ± SD) | 4.71 ± 3.52 | 1.84 ± 0.95 | 8.54 ± 1.2 | <0.001* |
|
DMT during follow-up, n (%):
-No DMT -Moderate efficacy DMT -High efficacy DMT |
5 (14.3%) 19 (54.3%) 11 (31.4%) |
4 (20%) 16 (80%) 0 (0%) |
1 (6.7%) 3 (20%) 11 (73.3%) |
<0.001* |
| SPMS, n (%) | 12 (34.3%) | 0 (0%) | 12 (80%) | <0.001* |
| Age at LP, years (mean ± SD) | 34.75 ± 9.08 | 31.05 ± 4.85 | 39.69 ± 11.06 | 0.018* |
| EDSS at LP (median (IQR)) | 1.5 (1–3.5) | 1 (0.5–1.5) | 3.5 (2–3.5) | <0.001* |
| Time from MS onset to LP, months (median (IQR)) | 29.96 (4.57–51.81) |
24.21 (3.53–42.45) |
39.49 (4.57-64.1) |
0.3 |
| Time from previous relapse to LP, months [median (IQR)] | 2.99 (1.12–6.67) |
2.14 (0.92–5.8) |
3.48 (1.71–11.73) |
0.14 |
MS, multiple sclerosis; SD, standard deviation; IQR, interquartile range; ARR, annualized relapse rate; EDSS, expanded disability status scale; MSSS, multiple sclerosis severity score; ARMSS score, age related multiple sclerosis severity score; DMT, disease-modifying treatment; SPMS, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis; LP, lumbar puncture.
*statistically significant.