"clinical course and prognosis of 203 patients with ms in shahid mostafa khomeini hospital, tehran 2002 "

Background: Multiples sclerosis is a common demyelinating disease of CNS and the main cause of disability in young adults all over the world so any research in different aspects of the disease has great value. researches in Iran are few in quantity and low in sample size. To determine clinical course and prognosis of the disease in Iranian MS patients we have studied these items in a considerable sample size. Methods: Two hundred and three definite MS patients (according to MC’donalds 2001 criteria) included in this study and a planned questionnaire completed by visiting the patients or by degree of disability estimated according to EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) score system. The results analyzed with SPSS software. Results: Mean age of the patients was 35. All required examinations have been done by a neurologist and 60.6 percent were female. Mean duration of disease was 8.3 years. the main form of onset of symptoms was sensorimotor (mixed). Mean Attack rate was 5.5 times during the disease duration. Clinical course in 72.4 percent was relapsing-remitting type. Mean disability scale number according to EDSS was 5.2. Death rate was two percent. 69.3 percent of patients were able to work in the society. The degree of disability increased with increasing age, in lower educational state, in longer duration of the disease and in male gender. Conclusion: The results of clinical course and type of MS, mean of disease duration from the onset and mean EDSS are compatible and comparable with similar studies in other countries though some results are different. For future large sample, multicenter studies recommended