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Age at onset in multiple sclerosis
M Liguori1, M G Marrosu, M Pugliatti
1Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Bari, Italy.
Abstract:
Age at onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) can vary from childhood to adult life. Many reports have been carried out over the years concerning the role of age at onset in determining the disease outcome. In a sporadic MS population of 1463 patients with homogeneous clinical and demographic features, derived from three Italian neurological centres (Bari, Cagliari and Sassari), we analysed the relative weights of current age and age at onset on disease severity according to the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, by fixing the disease duration. The results of present study demonstrate that clinical disability in MS is influenced by the patient's age (p < 0.01) and not by the age at onset. Therefore, these data do not confirm the hypothesis that an early age at onset should be considered a favourable prognostic factor of the disease outcome.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical disability is linked to a patient's current age, not their age at diagnosis. Early onset of MS does not appear to be a favorable prognostic indicator.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset age varies widely, impacting disease progression.
- Previous studies suggested early MS onset may predict a better outcome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of current age versus age at onset on multiple sclerosis (MS) disease severity.
- To determine if early MS onset is a favorable prognostic factor.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1463 sporadic MS patients from three Italian centers.
- Assessment of disease severity using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
- Statistical analysis controlling for disease duration to compare current age and age at onset impacts.
Main Results:
- Clinical disability in MS is significantly influenced by the patient's current age (p < 0.01).
- Age at onset did not show a significant correlation with disease severity.
- The hypothesis that early MS onset is a favorable prognostic factor was not supported.
Conclusions:
- Current age, not age at onset, is a key determinant of clinical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- These findings challenge the long-held belief that early MS onset predicts a milder disease course.