The 20-year history: Change of multiple sclerosis patient profile over 20 years

Patients attending multiple sclerosis (MS) clinics experience less disability compared to previous years.

This study was conducted retrospectively examining the patient records of our MS Clinic. The patient records in 1996 were compared to those in 2016.

Demographic data, duration of disease, time to diagnosis, course of the disease, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and whether or not patients used disease modifying therapies were recorded in both 1996 and 2016.

The mean frequency of visits were significantly higher in 1996 compared to 2016 (p = 0.003). There were significantly more number of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (p = 0.004) and secondary progressive MS (p = 0.001) in 1996; however, significantly less number of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (p < 0.001). EDSS scores of ≤3 were significantly higher in 2016 (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the number of patients with the EDSS scores of 6-6.5 and ≥7 were significantly less in 2016 (p < 0.001). Significantly more patients with secondary progressive MS, EDSS scores of 6-6.5 and ≥7 (wheel-chair dependent patients) came to the clinic in 1996 compared to 2016.

The emergence of treatment options in MS and the increasing availability of new treatment options for patients with no/inadequate treatment response have changed the MS patient profile over the 20 years. The number of wheelchair-dependent patients dramatically reduced.