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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Characteristics and predictors of progression in an Egyptian multiple sclerosis cohort: a multicenter registry study
Sherif M Hamdy1, Maged Abdel-Naseer1, Nevin M Shalaby1
1Neurology Department, Cairo University.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disease with a heterogeneous presentation and diverse disease course. Recent studies indicate a rising prevalence of MS in the Middle East.
Objective:
To characterize the demographics and disease features of Egyptian patients attending four tertiary referral MS centers in Cairo.
Materials And Methods:
This was a retrospective, observational study on 1,581 patients between 2001 and 2015. Medical records were reviewed and data were identified and extracted in a standardized electronic registry.
Results:
The mean age of disease onset was 26.6±7.8 years, with the majority being female (2.11:1). Relapsing-remitting MS was the most common type (75.1%). The main presenting symptom was motor weakness (43.9%), which was also the most frequent symptom during the disease course. Family history of MS was found in 2.28%. Higher initial Expanded Disability Status Scale score, black holes, and infratentorial lesions on initial magnetic resonance imaging were independent factors for disease progression by univariate analysis (OR 3.87 [95% CI 1.84-6.51], 4.14 [95% CI 3.08-5.58], 4.07 [95% CI 3.21-4.99], respectively); however, in multivariate analysis, only infratentorial lesions were an independent risk for disease progression (OR 6, 95% CI 2.99-12.02; P=0.0005).
Conclusion:
The results from this registry - the largest for MS in the Arab region to date - are comparable to other registries with slight differences.
