Clinical features of 314 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Background: Immunomodulatory drugs (IMD), Interferon beta 1a, beta 1b and glatiramer acetate are available in the Chilean public health system since June 2008 for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS). Diagnostic confirmation and programmed follow up of these patients is carried out at a public national reference center. Aim: To describe the epidemiological and clinical features of 314 patients evaluated in this center between 2008 and 2012. Patients and Methods: Review of clinical records, to obtain information about demographic background, medical history, expanded disability status scale of Kurtzke (EDSS), multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC), intensity fatigue scale of Krupp, Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BNR-R) and anxious-depressive manifestations using Hamilton and Beck questionnaires. Results: The ages of patients ranged from 12 to 63 years and 67% were women. The initial symptoms were sensory disturbances in 20%, motor alterations in 18% and optical neuritis in 16%. In 9% of patients, the disease began with several manifestations. The EDSS was 4 or less in 73% of patients and cognitive impairment was observed in 34%. Treatment failure during the first and second years, occurred in 23 and 26% of patients, respectively. Male gender, age under 40 and brainstem malfunction at the onset of disease, were predictive of treatment failure during the second year. Conclusions: The features of these patients are very similar to those reported abroad.