Multiple sclerosis: A descriptive series

Abstract

IntroductionMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic multifocal inflammatory demyelinating disease that progresses with neurodegeneration and is associated with a high risk of disability. ObjectivesWe describe a series of patients diagnosed with MS in the past 10 years at a secondary hospital in Colombia. MethodsWe conducted a descriptive, retrospective study of a series of patients attended at the outpatient clinic of the neurology department of Hospital Regional de la Orinoquía, in Colombia, between 2013 and 2022, and who were diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald criteria. ResultsWe included 15 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MS; 66.7% were women, with a mean age of 42 years (range, 16–71). Mean time from symptom onset to inclusion in the study was 87.4 months; 20% of patients presented disability. The distribution by type of MS was as follows: 20% patients had primary progressive MS, 20% had secondary progressive MS, 40% had clinically isolated syndrome, and 20% had relapsing–remitting MS. The mortality rate was 20%, with a median survival time of 89.83 months. ConclusionsAlthough treatment achieves significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life at every stage of the disease, early diagnosis is essential to prevent progression to disability.