Multiple sclerosis in Australia: prognostic factors

In order to determine the influence of age of onset, sex, onset symptoms, c linical course and interval from onset to first relapse on the subsequent o utcome of multiple sclerosis (MS), data from 2934 cases of MS documented in a large population based study undertaken in Australia have been analysed. Disability on prevalence day (30 June 1981) was defined on the Kurtzke dis ability scale as mild (DSS 0-3), moderate (DSS 4-6) and severe (DSS 7-9). P rognostic factors associated with mild vs moderate/severe, and moderate vs severe disability on prevalence day were identified by logistic regression analysis. A worse prognosis was significantly associated with older age of onset, progressive disease course, onset symptoms that were multiple, pyram idal or cerebellar, and a short interval between onset and first relapse. ( C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.