Factors associated with a malignant or benign course of multiple sclerosis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Patients (844) with multiple sclerosis (MS) in King and Pierce Counties, Washington, and in Los Angeles [L.A.] County, California, [USA] with symptomatic onset from 1960-1969 were followed up for disability status in 1980. A higher proportion of the 375 patients who were not walking or deceased in 1980 had a late age of onset, resided in L.A. County, had motor or coordination symptoms at onset and reported adverse responses to heat exposure and favorable responses to cold exposure, whereas a higher proportion of the 299 patients still walking without aids had early onset age and vision, speech, or sensory symptoms, or all 3, at onset. Both host factors (age at first manifestation of symptoms and types of symptoms at onset) and environmental factors (place of residence and exposure to heat and cold) are determinants of the disease course. Most patients with MS should avoid exposure to heat.