Age-related comparisons of people with multiple sclerosis: demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics.

Robert J. Buchanan, Bonnie J. Chakravorty, Tuula Tyry, William Scott Hatcher, Timothy Vollmer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the demographic characteristics and health care needs of younger people with MS differ from older people with MS. PARTICIPANTS: The study analyzed enrollment data from the NARCOMS Registry to compare 1,987 younger adults with MS (30 years and younger) to 29,245 other adults with MS (over 30 years). METHODS: Analyses of the NARCOMS data focused on descriptive characteristics of these adults with MS, using a t-test to identify any statistically significant age-related differences in means and a chi-squared test to identify any statistically significant age-related differences in proportions. RESULTS: A significantly larger proportion of younger adults with MS were female and African American compared to other adults with MS. We found significant age-related differences in the expression of physical disability domains but few significant age-related differences in symptoms of depression. We also observed significant age-related differences in the utilization of health providers, with larger proportions of other adults with MS treated by internists, urologists, rehabilitation specialists, and physical and occupational therapists. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive care of younger adults with MS should include monitoring for mental health conditions and the availability of mental health services.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)271-278
Number of pages8
JournalNeuroRehabilitation
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Neurology

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