Familial cases of multiple sclerosis: gender differences and clinical course

Background. This study focuses on analyzing the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) across different familial and age cohorts to determine gender-specific trends in disease onset, progression, and severity. Objective: to determine gender-specific regularities in the course of MS based on the analysis of mean age of onset, disease duration, and level of disability (on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)) in family clusters. Materials and methods. A cohort of 10 family (20 individuals, 16 women and 4 men) was studied. Analysis encompassed older (9 women, 1 man) and younger family members (7 women, 3 men). In addition, a comparative analysis was conducted by age according to the World Health Organization criteria: young patients (9 women, 4 men) and middle-aged patients (7 women). Results. The study confirmed a higher prevalence of MS among women within familial clusters. Specifically, the average age of MS onset among women was 34.67 years, which was higher compared to men (26 years). Analysis of EDSS scores revealed significant gender differences, with men having an average score of 6.0 indicating higher disability levels that in women who had an average score of 3.44. Younger patients (up to 44 years old) exhibited earlier onset and shorter disease duration compared to middle-aged patients (44 to 59 years), who tended to have later disease onset and higher EDSS scores, indicative of more severe disability. Young men with MS showed later disease onset and higher average EDSS scores, reflecting more pronounced disability than in young women who had earlier disease onset but lower EDSS scores. Conclusions. The findings highlight substantial gender-specific differences in the course of MS, which should be taken into account in the clinical management of patients. These results provide a foundation for further research and development of personalized approaches to the treatment and prevention of MS.