Clinical Characteristics of Egyptian Patients with Active Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Background Many challenges exist in the precise definition of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Early diagnosis of active SPMS is getting more important as pharmaceutical treatment options are developed. Objectives This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics of patients with active SPMS enrolled in a new registry in Egypt and compare it with 6-month follow-up assessment. Methods It is a longitudinal, hospital-based study, conducted in the multiple sclerosis unit of Ain Shams University Hospital, forty-six patients were enrolled in this study who fulfilled the 2017 McDonald criteria for MS, as well as that of active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). All patients are subjected to a full personal history, primary clinical assessment was done using EDSS, Symbol Digit Modalities test (SDMT), and timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25FWT) and were followed up and compared by a 6-month assessment. Results The mean age of the studied group was 43.543 ± 8.326 (SD). Females represented 69 %. The mean age of MS onset was 29.565 ± 8.010 (SD), mean age of SPMS onset was 40.109±7.892 (SD). EDSS mean value at baseline assessment was 5.8 and increased to 6 in the 6-month follow-up with a significant difference between the two assessments (p < 0.001). SDMT mean value in baseline assessment was 24 and deteriorated to 21 in the 6-month follow-up. With p-value <0.001. Regarding T25FWT baseline mean value was 16 seconds and increased to 18 seconds during the 6-month follow-up with a significant p-value of 0.013. Conclusion This study showed the importance of highlighting other aspects than motor to detect progression in patients with MS and the importance of entangling different techniques for better and more accurate assessment and earlier detection of progression.