Ten Years Natural History of Multiple Sclerosis in Kuwait Population

Introduction The prevalence and incidence rates are increasing in Kuwait, but natural history data has not been reported. To assess the natural history of MS patients in Kuwait at 10 years. Material(s) and Method(s) MS patients enrolled in the national registry who completed at least ten years since disease onset were assessed. The aim was to measure the change in the disability parameters at 10 years and to calculate the mean time of conversion of relapsing patients into secondary progressive phase. Result(s) 1126 patients completed at least ten years since disease onset. Mean age and mean age at onset were 43.67and 27.44years respectively. Females represented 66.3% of the cohort. At 10 years from onset, 70.2% remained in relapsing course while 30% patients continued to be labelled as CIS. Most MS patient (88.9%) had EDSS scores < 3.5. Patients with SPMS and PPMS represented 20.% and 6.8% respectively. Conclusion(s) This longitudinal data represents the initial assessment of natural history of MS course in Kuwait. Most relapsing patients who were followed for at least 10 years since disease onset had stable EDSS. Male gender, and brain stem/cerebellar and spinal cord presentations, more frequent relapses in first 2 years of onset and high initial EDSS were associated with faster progression of disability.