Table 1. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the cohorts investigated.
Characteristics are provided for all multiple sclerosis patients (MS), as well as the subgroup of patients (Subgroup MS) matched to and healthy controls (HC). Unless otherwise indicated, descriptive statistics provided are means and standard deviations (SD). For statistical comparison between the two cohorts (All MS vs HC) and the sex- and age-matched groups (Subgroup MS vs HC), Chi-square tests were computed for categorical variables, Kruskall-Wallis tests for skewed variables (9 hole peg test and timed 25 foot walk), and unpaired t-tests for the rest. P values for group differences are provided. Acronyms: RR = Relapsing-remitting, P = progressive MS (includes primary and secondary progressive patients), EDSS = Extended Disability Status Scale, MSIS-29 = Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29 items, 9-HPT: 9 hole peg test, T25-FW: timed 25 foot walk, PASAT = Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (3 and 2 s version), DMT = disease-modifying treatment, BDI = Beck Depression Inventory, MFIS = Modified Fatigue Impact Scale. Normalized brain and grey matter volume was calculated using SIENAX (Smith et al., 2002).
| Variable | All MS | Subgroup MS | HC | All MS vs HC (p) | Subgroup MS vs HC (p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N | 131 | 29 | 19 | ||
| Age (years) | 44.5 ± 9.4 | 39.2 ± 11.3 | 40.5 ± 11.0 | .0929 | .6954 |
| Sex (F/M) | 85/46 | 17/12 | 12/7 | .8830 | .7533 |
| Education (years) | 15.6 ± 3.9 | 15.9 ± 3.9 | 20.0 ± 4.8 | < .0001 | .0021 |
| Disease duration (years) | 12.4 ± 7.5 | 7.6 ± 4.3 | – | – | |
| Disease course (RR/P) | 105/26 | 29/0 | – | – | – |
| EDSS score (median/iqr) | 4.0 ± 1.5 | 4.0 ± 2.0 | – | – | |
| MSIS-29 scale | 65.6 ± 29.5 | 48.3 ± 16.9 | – | – | |
| 9-HPT (right) in sec. (across 2 trials) median/iqr | 25.4 ± 11.7 | 21.9 ± 3.6 | 18.7 ± 2.2 | < .0001 | .0012 |
| T25-FW in sec. (across 2 trials) median/iqr | 8.5 ± 9.8 | 5.3 ± 1.4 | 4.3 ± 0.9 | .0669 | .0071 |
| PASAT 3s | 39.9 ± 14.0 | 44.5 ± 12.2 | 51.0 ± 6.4 | .0009 | .0379 |
| PASAT 2s | 27.5 ± 11.6 | 31.1 ± 8.6 | 33.9 ± 7.1 | .0195 | .2424 |
| DMT (Yes/No) | 43/88 | 13/16 | – | – | – |
| Depression (BDI) | 12.5 ± 10.4 | 8.2 ± 8.6 | 4.6 ± 5.1 | .0016 | .1123 |
| Fatigue (MFIS) | 39.6 ± 20.7 | 27.7 ± 19.3 | 21.1 ± 13.3 | .0003 | .2093 |
| Normalized GM volume (cm3) | 594.4 ± 63.2 | 613.1 ± 47.9 | 645.8 ± 39.9 | .0010 | .0176 |
| Normalized whole brain volume (cm3) | 1173.5 ± 115.9 | 1196.4 ± 109.5 | 1230.0 ± 87.0 | .0432 | .2665 |
| T2-hyperintense lesion volume (cm3) | 4.2 ± 4.6 | 2.8 ± 2.4 | – | – | – |