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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Parity is associated with a longer time to reach irreversible disability milestones in women with multiple sclerosis
S Masera1, P Cavalla2, L Prosperini3
1MS Centre, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin & City of Health and Science University Hospital of Turin, Italy.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently affects women of childbearing age. While short-term effects of pregnancy on MS course are well-known, whether pregnancy may influence long-term disability progression is debated.
Methods:
A two-centre retrospective study to investigate long-term effect of pregnancy on disability was performed in a population of MS women. Survival analyses and multivariate Cox proportional regression models (including early predictors of MS severity and exposure to disease-modifying treatments) were performed to compare time to reach well-established disability milestones in nulliparous women and in those with pregnancies after MS onset ('parous'). Women with pregnancies before MS onset were excluded from analyses as they represent a heterogeneous group.
Results:
Data about 445 women (261 nulliparous, 184 'parous') were analysed. A longer time to reach Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 4.0 and 6.0 was observed in parous women; Cox regression models revealed a lower risk for 'parous' than nulliparous women in reaching EDSS 4.0 and 6.0 (HR = 0.552, p = 0.008 and HR = 0.422, p = 0.012 respectively).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that pregnancy after MS onset is associated with a slower long-term disability progression. Whether this represents a biological/immunological effect, or reflects a higher propensity toward childbearing in women with milder disease, it remains uncertain deserving further investigations.
