Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of multiple sclerosis in students in the Republic of Bashkortostan

An expansion of the age range of multiple sclerosis (MS) manifestation has been reported recently. Considering the multifactorial etiology, high heterogeneity of the clinical symptoms, and the difficulties of early MS diagnosis in young people, the onset and course of this disease in students can be considered as one of the significant medical and social problems. Objective : to analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of MS in university and secondary specialized educational institutions students in the Republic of Bashkortostan (RB). Patients and methods . This case-control study included 32 patients aged 15 to 24 years studying in universities and secondary schools of the RB. The clinical and epidemiological indicators analysis was carried out based on data from the register of MS patients in the RB. 32 sex-, age-, place of birth and residence-matching patients with MS, who were not students, were included in the control group. Results and discussion . The median age of disease manifestation in students was 18 [16.5; 20] years, in the control group – 16 [14; 19] years (p=0.010). We found a lower «disease onset – diagnosis» in the students group of revealed a lower interval «disease onset – diagnosis» (0.5 [0; 1] years, p=0.006), and a shorter duration of MS compared to the control group ((2.8 [2; 4] years and 4 [2; 7] years, respectively, p=0.020). Students with MS predominantly had movement disorders: central paresis and cerebellar ataxia. Students also had a faster MS progression (0.4 [0.2; 0.6] EDSS scores per year, p=0.001), despite of the disease-modifying therapies. Conclusion . MS manifestation and course in students receiving disease-modifying therapies indicate the need for close follow-up, adherence control, and psychological support in the educational process.