CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BY SEX

Abstract

Introduction. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, with an unknown etiology and complete treatment. Many studies have shown that the incidence of MS among women is 2-3.5 times higher in comparison with men. The aim of the study was providing the sex characteristics of patients diagnosed with MS in Azerbaijan. Materials and methods of research. During the study period (01.01.2013–31.12.2022), 1796 patients with MS were examined. Patients were divided into two comparison groups (Group I – men, 616 patients; Group II – women, 1180 patients). Share of patients by sex, age (at diagnosis, probable disease onset, and the end of the study), clinical course of MS, and deathes were investigated in the comparison groups. Statistical analysis was performed with χ2-Pearson and t-Student-Bonferroni tests, and the acquired statistical results were rechecked with the U-Mann-Whitney test. Results and discussion. 65.7% of the patients were women, and 34.3% were men. Male-to-female ratio was 1:1.92. 66.4% of patients were urban residents, while rural residents were 33.6%. Among women, urban residents (68.1±1.4%) prevailed men (63.0±1.9%), and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The average age at diagnosis was 34.9±0.2 years (35.2±0.4 years in men; 34.7±0.3 years in women). At the time of presumed first attacks, the average age was 29.7±0.2 years (29.9±0.3 years in men and 29.6±0.2 years in women). During the study years, 43 patients died. The average age of death was 56.8±1.2 years (in men, 55.2±1.6; in women, 58.0±1.6) (P>0.05). After diagnosis of MS, the average life expectancy was 15.7±1.0 years (minimum life expectancy was 4 years, maximum was 40 years). The period between disease onset and the diagnosis of MS was on average 5.3±0.2 years in men and 5.2±0.1 years in women. The distribution of patients by 5-year age groups on the age of diagnosis showed that more incidence rate among men was in the 35-39 age group (20.1±1.6% of male patients) and among women in the 30-34 age group (20.8±1.2% of female patients). However, these indicators did not differ statistically (P>0.05). The most frequent clinical course was Relapsing Remitting MS in both sexes – 78.6±1.7% in men, 77.4±1.2% in women. Although CIS is more common in women (4.2±0.6%), the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Other types of MS were found almost equally in both sexes. Conclusion. Extensive research on sex differences in MS can improve our understanding of the disease's pathophysiology and treatment. The findings lay the groundwork for future research into the sexdepending approach to the clinical course and treatment of MS.