Comorbidity delays diagnosis and increases disability at diagnosis in MS.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Comorbidity is common in the general population and is associated with adverse health outcomes. In multiple sclerosis (MS), it is unknown whether preexisting comorbidity affects the delay between initial symptom onset and diagnosis ("diagnostic delay") or the severity of disability at MS diagnosis.

Objectives

Using the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis Registry, we assessed the association between comorbidity and both the diagnostic delay and severity of disability at diagnosis. In 2006, we queried participants regarding physical and mental comorbidities, including date of diagnosis, smoking status, current height, and past and present weight. Using multivariate Cox regression, we compared the diagnostic delay between participants with and wi

SUBMITTER: Marrie RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2677495 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature