Epidemiological characteristics of treated multiple sclerosis patients - Lublin experience (South-Eastern Poland)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases affecting about 2.8 million people worldwide. The aim of this study is to analyze the current MS patient population in Lublin, south-east Poland, to enhance understanding of disease risk and treatment options.

The study was conducted in 2023-2024 in the hospitals and neurological MS centres in the city of Lublin. Demographic and clinical data of adult patients with MS were collected from registries. The obtained results were compared with the results of previous studies, including a study conducted in Lublin in 2004.

In Lublin, there are 1034 patients treated because of MS, approximately 70% are women. The mean age of patients is 46.25 ±12.11 years. About 79.2% have a relapsing-remitting (RR) type of MS, 8.0% - secondary progressive (SP) type, 11.4% - primary progressive (PP) type, and 1.4%- rapidly evolving or severe type (RES). About 28% of RRMS patients are treated with modestly effective drugs (i.e. platform therapy), with mean disability assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS=2.11, about 40% of these patients- with moderately effective drugs, with mean EDSS=1.99, and about 28% of RRMS patients with highly effective drugs (HED), with mean EDSS=2.53.

Compared to 2004, when 204 patients were recorded, the number of MS patients in Lublin has increased fivefold due to improved diagnosis, treatment, and rising MS incidence. Mean EDSS is higher in RRMS patients treated with HED compared to patients treated with moderately effective drugs, probably due to higher activity of MS and more rapid progression of disability in patients requiring more effective therapy. Further research is needed to deepen understanding of MS and its treatment.