[Case study of 199 patients with multiple sclerosis: the use of EDMUS program]

European Database Multiple Sclerosis (EDMUS) is a standardized tool which allows the collection of clinical, biological, radiological and therapeutic data on multiple sclerosis (MS). A descriptive analysis of 199 patients was done using EDMUS (version 2.2). Most data agreed with previous published results, except a low 0.4 sex ratio. At the beginning of MS, 42 p. 100 of MS patients developed pyramidal and sensory involvements and 14 p. 100 retrobulbar optic neuritis. Optic neuritis was the most frequent initial symptom of relapsing-remitting MS (25.9 p. 100) but not in the chronic progressive form (5.5 p, 100; p < 0.01). Surprisingly, relapsing-remitting form occurred more frequently whereas the secondary progressive form was diagnosed less. The concordances between the three disability scales, EGS (EDMUS Grading Scale), EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Score) and AI (Hauser Ambulation Index) were correct. In clinical practice, EDMUS is user-friendly and rapid. The lack of radiological data and the necessary quantification of only one disability scale, EGS may be too restrictive. The analysis of most of clinical data is possible by using integrated selection within the software, but sometimes needs more complex procedures.