Table 1.
Clinical features, demographic characteristics and survival of people with MS who had a gastrostomy.
| Total (N = 53) | |
|---|---|
| Age (years), mean ± SD | 55.4 ± 11.4 |
| Sex, n (%) | |
| - Male | 16 (30.2%) |
| - Female | 37 (69.8%) |
| Time from MS diagnosis to gastrostomy (years), mean ± SD | 17.8 ± 9.2 |
| Type of multiple sclerosis, n (%) | |
| - Relapsing–remitting MS | 1 (1.9%) |
| - Primary progressive MS | 5 (9.4%) |
| - Secondary progressive MS | 46 (86.8%) |
| - Unknown | 1 (1.9%) |
| EDSS score at time of gastrostomy, median (IQR), n (%) | 8.5 (8,8.9) |
| - 6 | 1 (1.9%) |
| - 7 | 1 (1.9%) |
| - 7.5 | 5 (9.4%) |
| - 8 | 18 (34%) |
| - 8.5 | 14 (26.4%) |
| - 9 | 7 (13.2%) |
| - 9.5 | 6 (11.3%) |
| - Unknown | 1 (1.9%) |
| Mobility status, n (%) | |
| - Bed bound | 22 (41.5%) |
| - Wheelchair bound | 28 (52.8%) |
| - Mobile with gait aid | 2 (3.8%) |
| - Unknown | 1 (1.9%) |
| Indication for gastrostomy | |
| - Swallowing difficulties | 29 (54.7%) |
| - Aspiration pneumonia or recurrent pneumonia | 14 (26.4%) |
| - Malnutrition or weight loss | 5 (9.4%) |
| - Unsafe swallow | 3 (5.7%) |
| - Prolonged intubation | 1 (1.9%) |
| - Unknown | 1 (1.9%) |
| Type of surgery | |
| -Emergency | 28 (52.8%) |
| -Elective | 24 (45.3%) |
| -Unknown | 1 (1.9%) |
| Location after discharge from hospital, n (%) | |
| -Own home | 28 (52.8%) |
| -Nursing home | 25 (47.2%) |
| Survival after gastrostomy | |
| 30 day | 53/53 (100%) |
| 3 months | 52/53 (98.1%) |
| 12 months | 43/53 (81.1%) |
| 24 months | 29/53 (54.7%) |
| 60 months | 11/49 (22.4%) |
| 120 months | 3/44 (6.8%) |