Table 1. Demographic and Baseline Clinical Characteristics of All Randomized Patients.
| Patient characteristics | Hookworm (n = 35) | Placebo (n = 36) |
|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristics | ||
| Age, mean (SD), y | 45 (8.7) | 44.7 (10.4) |
| Sex, No. (%) | ||
| Women | 25 (71) | 26 (71) |
| Men | 10 (29) | 10 (29) |
| Clinical characteristics | ||
| Type of relapsing MS, No. (%) | ||
| RR | 31 (88.6) | 27 (75) |
| SP with superimposed relapses | 4 (11.4) | 9 (25) |
| Time, mean (SD), y | ||
| From first symptoms of MS | 11.7 (8.3) | 11.1 (9.2) |
| From MS diagnosis | 6 (5.9) | 6.5 (5.7) |
| From last relapse, d | 195 (119) | 205 (172) |
| Relapses, mean (range) | ||
| In the previous year | 1.66 (1-4) | 1.33 (1-3) |
| Previous 2 y | 2.3 (1-5) | 2.1 (1-5) |
| Previous 3 y | 2.85 (1-7) | 2.55 (1-7) |
| EDSS score, mean (range) | 3 (1.5-5) | 3 (1.5-5) |
| Previous DMT | ||
| Glatiramer acetate | 2 | 2 |
| IFN-β | 7 | 8 |
| Other | 1 (Azathioprine) | 1 (Fingolimod) |
| MRI characteristics | ||
| Baseline T2 lesion No. | 15.3 (9.3) | 16.5 (8.4) |
| Median (range) | 14 (1-33) | 15 (1-36) |
| Gadolinium-enhancing lesion No. at baseline | ||
| Mean (range) | 1.15 (2.5) | 0.8 (1.5) |
| Median (range) | 0 (0-11) | 0 (0-6) |
| MRI scans without gadolinium-enhancing lesions at baseline | 23 | 21 |
Abbreviations: DMT, disease-modifying therapy; EDSS, Expanded Disability Status Scale; IFN, interferon; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; MS, multiple sclerosis; RR, relapsing-remitting; SP, secondary progressive.