1Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University.
2Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University
3Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria
Abstract
MS is an immune-mediated, chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects mainly the adults. However, it is increasingly recognized that MS may start in the childhood resulting in a relentlessly progressive disability and cognitive impairment. When the age of MS patients at disease onset is younger than 18 years, Pediatric-onset MS (POMS) is defined. Registries across the globe are reporting inconstant data about their POMS patients. Therefore, there is a need for more research into the clinical characteristics of POMS in our population. AIM OF THE WORK: The aims of the study are: • To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with (POMS) to (AOMS) in a sample of Egyptian patients at Alexandria university. • To identify predictors for disability progression in POMS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study that included MS patients who visited the MS clinic of the neuropsychiatry department, Alexandria University from January 2019 to January 2021. We entered their epidemiological, clinical, radiological data, and CSF results from their updated records as well as follow up interviews.