Volume 91, Issue 4 pp. 483-495
Research Article

Comparing Natural History of Early and Late Onset Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

Ermelinda De Meo MD, PhD

Corresponding Author

Ermelinda De Meo MD, PhD

Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy

Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy

Address correspondence to Dr Meo, Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]

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Massimo Filippi MD

Massimo Filippi MD

Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy

Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy

Neurology Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy

Neurorehabilitation Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy

Neurophysiology Service, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy

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Maria Trojano MD

Maria Trojano MD

Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sense Organs, Aldo Moro Polyclinic, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

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Giancarlo Comi MD

Giancarlo Comi MD

Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy

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Francasco Patti MD

Francasco Patti MD

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia Section of Neuroscience, Multiple Sclerosis Center, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

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Vincenzo Brescia Morra MD

Vincenzo Brescia Morra MD

Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Napoli, Italy

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Giuseppe Salemi MD

Giuseppe Salemi MD

Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Palermo, Italy

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Marco Onofrj MD

Marco Onofrj MD

G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy

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Giacomo Lus MD

Giacomo Lus MD

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy

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Eleonora Cocco MD

Eleonora Cocco MD

Multiple Sclerosis Center, ASSL Cagliari, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

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Mattia Fonderico MD

Mattia Fonderico MD

NEUROFARBA Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Valentina Torri Clerici MD

Valentina Torri Clerici MD

IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta Neurological Institute, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy

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Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco MD

Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco MD

Multiple Sclerosis Center and Neurological Clinic/Stroke Unit, A. Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy

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Paola Valentino MD

Paola Valentino MD

MaterDomini University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy

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Antonio Bertolotto MD

Antonio Bertolotto MD

Regional Multiple Sclerosis Reference Center, Torino, Italy

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Alessandra Lugaresi MD

Alessandra Lugaresi MD

UOSI Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care–ISNB, Bologna, Italy

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Roberto Bergamaschi MD

Roberto Bergamaschi MD

Multiple Sclerosis Center, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy

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Marco Rovaris MD

Marco Rovaris MD

Centro SM Multiple Sclerosis Center, Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Milan, Italy

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Patrizia Sola MD

Patrizia Sola MD

Center for Demyelinating Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, University Hospital/OCSAE, UO Neurology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Gioacchino Tedeschi MD

Gioacchino Tedeschi MD

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy

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Ilaria Pesci MD

Ilaria Pesci MD

Multiple Sclerosis Center, UO Neurology, Di Vaio Hospital, Fidenza, Italy

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Umberto Aguglia MD

Umberto Aguglia MD

Great Metropolitan Hospital of Reggio Calabria, Reggio di Calabria, Italy

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Paola Cavalla MD

Paola Cavalla MD

Multiple Sclerosis Center and Neurology Unit I, Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, City Health and Science University Hospital of Torino, Turin, Italy

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Davide Maimone MD

Davide Maimone MD

Multiple Sclerosis Center, UOC Neurology, ARNAS Garibaldi, Catania, Italy

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Franco Granella MD

Franco Granella MD

Unit of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

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Marika Vianello MD

Marika Vianello MD

Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurology Unit, Ca Foncello Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy

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Marta Simone MD

Marta Simone MD

Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

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Emilio Portaccio MD

Emilio Portaccio MD

NEUROFARBA Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Maria Pia Amato MD

Maria Pia Amato MD

NEUROFARBA Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Don Carlo Gnocchi Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Foundation, Florence, Italy

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First published: 12 February 2022
Citations: 4

Abstract

Objective

This study was undertaken to describe and compare disease course and prognosis of early (ie, disease onset before age 11 years) and late (ie, disease onset after age 11 years) onset pediatric multiple sclerosis.

Methods

Prospectively collected clinical information from Italian Multiple Sclerosis Register of 1993 pediatric multiple sclerosis patients, of whom 172 had early onset, was analyzed. Cox models adjusted for sex, baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale score, and disease-modifying treatments and stratified for diagnostic criteria adopted (Poser vs McDonald) were used to assess the risk of reaching irreversible Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 3, 4, and 6, and conversion to secondary progressive phenotype in early versus late onset pediatric patients. Prognostic factors were also evaluated.

Results

A greater proportion of males, isolated brainstem involvement, and longer time interval between first and second clinical episode were observed in early versus late onset pediatric patients. Compared to late onset, early onset pediatric patients took longer from disease onset to convert to secondary progressive phenotype and to reach all disability milestones. Recovery from first demyelinating event, time to first relapse, annualized relapse rate during the first 3 years of disease, and disease-modifying treatment exposure were independent predictors for long-term disability in early onset pediatric patients. In late onset pediatric patients, isolated optic neuritis, multifocal symptoms, and progressive course at disease onset were additional predictors for long-term disability.

Interpretation

These findings point toward the existence of a different natural history in early versus late onset pediatric multiple sclerosis patients. ANN NEUROL 2022;91:483–495

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Nothing to report.

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