Document Detail


Clinical study of primary progressive multiple sclerosis in Northern Ireland, UK.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  9576534     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in Northern Ireland and to establish a database of such patients for genetic and immunological studies and future therapeutic trials. METHODS: Diagnosis and categorisation were performed by two neurologists, potential cases being identified from the following sources: neurology outpatient clinics; neurology inpatients; a review of hospital discharges; and an ongoing epidemiological study of multiple sclerosis in Northern Ireland. Only those with a progressive course from onset and a clear history of no prior relapses were accepted. Potential cases were invited for interview and assessment, the minimal record of disability (MRD) being established. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven cases of PPMS have been identified, 63 women and 48 men (ratio 1.3:1), with a mean age at onset of 39.5 (SD 11.0) (range 17-66)years, and mean disease duration of 13.6 (SD 9.3)years. The mean interval between onset and diagnosis was 4.7 (SD 4.2) years. Nineteen patients (17.1%) did not satisfy the requirements for any category in the Poser criteria. Motor disturbance was the commonest mode of onset (67.6%) with visual loss occurring only rarely at onset (3.6%). Kurtzke EDSS scores were concentrated at the upper end of the scale with a median of 6.0 and levels of unemployment and financial dependence were high. CONCLUSIONS: PPMS in Northern Ireland has a generally later age at onset, lower female preponderance, and predominantly motor onset compared with other subgroups of multiple sclerosis. The delay to diagnosis reflects the often insidious onset and the nature of the clinical course makes application of the Poser criteria difficult. Levels of neurological impairment, disability, and handicap as measured by the MRD are high.
Authors:
G V McDonnell; S A Hawkins
Related Documents :
11443484 - Postirradiation multiple minute digitate porokeratosis.
15668414 - Distal symmetric polyneuropathy: a definition for clinical research: report of the amer...
10910614 - Multiple pterygium syndrome: report of one case.
11903194 - 'indolent' plasmacytoma.
16739784 - A descriptive study of traumatic lower limb amputees from the hospital hel trabajador: ...
18243404 - Complete radiographic response of primary pulmonary angiosarcomas following gemcitabine...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry     Volume:  64     ISSN:  0022-3050     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr.     Publication Date:  1998 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1998-05-14     Completed Date:  1998-05-14     Revised Date:  2009-11-18    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985191R     Medline TA:  J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  451-4     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Neurology Service, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Activities of Daily Living
Adolescent
Adult
Age of Onset
Aged
Disabled Persons / statistics & numerical data
Disease Progression
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis / classification,  epidemiology,  etiology*,  physiopathology
Northern Ireland / epidemiology
Questionnaires
Socioeconomic Factors
Unemployment / statistics & numerical data
Comments/Corrections

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Utilisation and cost of professional care and assistance according to disability of patients with mu...
Next Document:  Computer assisted retraining of attentional impairments in patients with multiple sclerosis.