A profile of multiple sclerosis: The New York State Multiple Sclerosis Consortium

We have obtained a current Profile of multiple sclerosis (MS) in New York S tate through a centralized patient registry and standardized data collectio n instrument associated with the New York Stale Multiple Sclerosis Consorti um of 12 MS centers located throughout the state. Data from the first 3019 Patients with clinically definite MS revealed a clear relationship between MS disease type, duration of disease, and severity of physical disability P atients with relapsing disease had disease durations approximately half as long as those with progressive forms of the disease (means approximately 6 years versus 11 years). The majority of patients with relapsing disease had Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 4.0 or less (self-sustai ned, fully ambulatory), whereas the majority of patients with progressive d isease types had EDSS scores of 6.0 or greater (at least unilateral assist for walking). These findings emphasize the importance of early intervention in Patients with relapsing disease to slow or prevent the accumulation of Physical disability associated with Progressive types of disease. Progressi ve disease was associated with lock of full-time employment and being disab led before the age of 60 years. Patients with relapsing disease were more l ikely to be employed and have private forms of insurance, whereas patients with progressive types of disease were more likely to have government-suppo rted insurance to cover medical expenses.