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Prognostic factors for life expectancy in multiple sclerosis analysed by Cox-models
T Riise1, M Grønning, J A Aarli
1Section for Medical Informatics and Statistics, University of Bergen, Haukeland Hospital, Norway.
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Multiple sclerosis patients with later onset and progressive disease courses have shorter life expectancies. Vertigo as an initial symptom also indicates a poorer prognosis for multiple sclerosis (MS) survival.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Factors influencing MS patient life expectancy require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of initial symptoms, sex, age at onset, and clinical course on the life expectancy of multiple sclerosis patients.
- To identify prognostic factors for multiple sclerosis survival.
Main Methods:
- Survival analysis was conducted on 598 multiple sclerosis patients in Norway.
- Cox proportional hazards regression model was utilized to analyze simultaneous variable effects, accounting for incomplete data.
Main Results:
- Median survival time post-diagnosis was 27 years.
- Age at onset was the strongest predictor of disease duration; later onset correlated with poorer prognosis.
- A progressive disease course and vertigo as the initial symptom were associated with shorter life expectancy.
- No significant effect of sex on survival was observed.
- An indication of improved survival over the study period was noted.
Conclusions:
- Age at onset and disease progression are critical factors influencing multiple sclerosis prognosis.
- Specific onset symptoms like vertigo may indicate a less favorable outcome.
- While sex did not significantly impact survival, trends suggest potential improvements in multiple sclerosis patient longevity over time.