Table 1.

General characteristics of 407 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)

	N	%	Mean ± SD
Age at onset of MS, years
<20	59	14.5
20–28	110	27.0
29–38	119	29.2
39–49	87	21.4
≥50	32	7.9
Sex
Male	119	29.2
Female	288	70.8
Incomplete recovery from first relapse
No	346	85.0
Yes	61	15.0
Initial course of MS
Remitting-relapsing	349	85.7
Primary progressive	58	14.3
CSF total protein level, mg/L
0–500	312	76.7
≥500	95	23.3
CSF IgG index
<0.60	219	53.8
≥0.60	188	46.2
CSF oligoclonal bands
No	53	13.0
Yes	354	87.0
Leukocyte count
Normal	151	37.1
Increased (≥5 mm3)	256	62.9
Barkhof’s criteria (initial MRI)
Negative	48	11.8
Positive	359	88.2
Period of MS onset
<01/01/98	60	14.7
≥01/01/98	347	85.3
Time from MS onset to: (years)
Lumbar puncture	407		4.3 ± 3.2
Last follow-up	407		8.9 ± 3.8

EDSS: Expanded Disability Status Scale; CSF: cerebrospinal fluid; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging.