P012 - Pediatric onset multiple sclerosis patients tend to have slower disease progression

Abstract

Background Data on the difference between pediatric and adult onset multiple sclerosis (MS) in terms of disease course and progression is scare in our region. Objective To compare the demographic and clinical characteristics between pediatric-onset and adulthood-onset MS. Methods Utilizing the national MS registry, we conducted a cross-sectional study to dichotomize MS patients based on age of disease onset (under 17 years or above). Demographics and clinical characteristics (age, symptoms presentation at onset, disease duration, disease course, relapses, EDSS score, and use of disease modifying therapies) were collected. Simple descriptive statistical tests were used to describe numerical and non-numerical values. Variables of both groups were compared using chi-square and Student t -tests. Results A total of 984 records of MS patients were assessed; of whom 111 (11.3%) had the disease onset before 17 years of age. Pediatric onset MS patients were more likely to be female (female:male ratio 2.5 vs. 1.85; p p p p p p p p Conclusions MS patients, who had their disease onset before age 17, tend to be female and have brainstem/cerebellar and multifocal symptoms at disease onset. Despite the comparable relapse rate and disability measures between the two cohorts, patients with pediatric onset had slower disease progression.