Hospitalization is associated with subsequent disability in multiple sclerosis.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Clinical Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Limited research exists on the impact of acute illness on multiple sclerosis (MS) progression.
• Individuals with MS face higher hospitalization rates and mortality compared to the general population.
• Understanding acute illness effects is crucial for managing MS patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between acute illness requiring hospitalization and the progression of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Main Methods:

• Population-based retrospective cohort study using linked clinical and administrative data (2009-2014).
• Included individuals with confirmed MS diagnosis, EDSS measurements, and age of onset ≥10 years.
• Generalized linear models with GEE analyzed the association between hospitalization and EDSS changes, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• 2104 individuals with MS were analyzed; 23.3% experienced at least one hospitalization.
• Hospitalization was associated with an average step increase of 0.23 EDSS points, equivalent to 2.5 years of progression.
• The rate of disability progression after hospitalization remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• Acute illness leading to hospitalization is linked to an immediate worsening of MS-related disability.
• Hospitalization represents a significant event impacting the disability status of MS patients.
• Further research may explore interventions to mitigate the impact of acute illness on MS progression.