Pediatric onset multiple sclerosis in Kuwait.

Clin Neurol Neurosurg

Department of Neurology, Ibn Sina Hospital, P.O. Box 25427, Safat, 13115, Kuwait; Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Minia University, P.O. Box 61519, Minia 61111, Egypt. Electronic address:

Published: January 2025

AI Article Synopsis

Article Abstract

Background: Epidemiological data of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) in the Middle East is limited.

Objective: To determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of POMS in Kuwait.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who disease onset started at age < 18 years and fulfilled the International Pediatric MS Study Group (IPMSSG) criteria for MS.

Results: Of 249 POMS who were assessed, 70.3 % were female. The mean age at onset was 15.06 +11.78 years. Brainstem / cerebellar manifestation (34.9 %) were the most frequent presentation at onset of disease, followed by spinal (29.3 %) and visual pathway (27.3 %) symptoms. At the last follow-up visits, most of the patients (83.5 %) remained in a relapsing-remitting phenotype. The annual relapse rate (ARR) was 0.18 throughout the first 2 years while on treatment. At the baseline visit, the 51.4 % of the cohort-initiated platform therapies. Breakthrough disease (36.1 %) and adverse events (9.6 %) were the most common indications to escalate or switch to other disease-modifying drugs (DMTs).

Conclusion: Most POMS patients continued to be in a relapsing phenotype in our longitudinal study. Disease breakthrough is common in POMS especially when using platform therapies.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2024.108643DOI Listing

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