CC05
Factors Associated with Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis Slowed Gait, Does Mood Matter?
POMS have been shown to lead to significant disability at a young age. HRQOL measures in POMS have been shown to be associated with disease duration in small series but require validation in longitudinal data sets. We aim to identify factors that may reduce disease progression.
Objectives:
Evaluate associations between disease duration, functional outcomes (FO); Health related quality of life (HRQOL) among Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS) patients, and to Identify factors potentially associated with longer T25FW in POMS.
Methods:
POMS patient charts were reviewed for demographics, clinical characteristics, HRQOL and FO. Both numerical and categorical forms of T25FW were examined for its associations with HRQOL and FO. Associations between numerical form of T25FW and HRQOL were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficient. Patients’ demographics, FO and HRQOL were compared between nonslow and slow gait (if 7 or more seconds) using Kristal – Wallis test for numerical variables and Chi square for categorical variables.
Results:
A total of 44 POMS patients were evaluated. PHQ9 (Age adjusted Spearman r=0.56), MSPS combined score (age adjusted r=0.54) and MSPS fatigue (age adjusted r=0.48) was significantly and positively associated with T25FW. Age of onset, gender, and race and disease course was not associated with slowed gait. Older age (Median 21 vs. 33 years), longer disease duration (5.9 vs. 17.5 years) and higher MSPS combined score (9.0 vs. 4.5) were found in slower gait group.
Conclusions:
Depression was associated with slower gait among POMS patients.
Age of onset, gender, race and disease course were not predictive of a slower gait, we need better predictors of long term disability in POMS.