MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

This article is the initial report on the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of New South Wales (NSW) Client Census Database study, a telephone-based cohort study of registered clients of the society in 2001. The final database sample comprised 2618 respondents with a diagnosis of MS from the registered client database, representing 73% of this target client population and an estimated 70% of all people with MS in NSW, Australia. The mean age was 49 years, and mean time since diagnosis was 11 years, with 36% diagnosed in the past 5 years. Approximately three-quarters (74%) were women. The mobility disability profile of the sample covered the entire spectrum, with half reporting being able to walk without a mobility aid and only 17% being confined to a wheelchair. The average age of respondents confined to a wheelchair was 56 years. Most respondents reported other MS symptoms they felt were disabling, such as fatigue and abnormal sensory symptoms. Most were living with a partner or spouse but were less likely to be living with children in the family home than the general NSW population. Only 5% were living in supported accommodations. Only a third of respondents were employed, with greater levels of disability leading to greater levels of unemployment—full-time employment being more adversely affected than part time and men being more disadvantaged than women with MS compared with their general NSW population counterparts. Essential medical care and personal support needs were mostly well met but less reliably so for the most severely disabled respondents and those living farther from major cities. The most frequently reported unmet needs were for breaks from home and employment support. Less than half of the sample reported being on immunotherapy. Those who were on immunotherapy were more likely to be women, employed part time, and experiencing only mild or moderate mobility disability.

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Reproductive Choices of Women With Multiple Sclerosis

International Journal of MS Care ◽

10.7224/1537-2073-9.1.9 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 9-12

Author(s):

Martine Sponiar ◽

Louise Sharpe ◽

Phyllis Butow ◽

Gary Fulcher

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Decision Making ◽

Family Planning ◽

Decision Aid ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Secondary Progressive ◽

South Wales ◽

Relapsing Remitting ◽

Decision Making Tool

A decision aid may be needed for women with multiple sclerosis (MS) in making family-planning choices. Four hundred sixty-one women responded to a mailing asking them where they were in deciding whether to have children. The mailing was sent to female members of the MS Societies in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, who were between 20 and 40 years of age. Results showed that 46% of respondents were currently unsure about whether they would start, forego, or enlarge their families. More women with relapsing-remitting MS and women who were unsure of their MS type were undecided about motherhood than those with primary progressive and secondary progressive MS. The results indicate that a decision-making tool to assist women with family planning may be useful.

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Risk of multiple sclerosis after a first demyelinating syndrome in an Australian Paediatric cohort: clinical, radiological features and application of the McDonald 2010 MRI criteria

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458513484377 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (13) ◽

pp. 1749-1759 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Esther M Tantsis ◽

Kristina Prelog ◽

Fabienne Brilot ◽

Russell C Dale

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Early Recognition ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Radiological Features ◽

South Wales ◽

Multiple Variables

Background: The risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is dependent on multiple variables, including geographical location. There is increasing interest in the early recognition and treatment of MS in children. Method: Using univariate and multivariate analysis, we determined the clinical and radiological features that were predictive of MS in 88 children from New South Wales, Australia, with a first acute demyelinating syndrome (ADS) who were followed for a minimum of one year. We tested the McDonald, KIDMUS, Callen and Verhey MRI criteria for paediatric MS. Results: After a mean follow-up of 5.2 years, 13/88 (15%) of children had MS. Using multivariate analysis, preceding infection was protective of MS, and corpus callosal lesions, the combined presence of both well and poorly demarcated lesions, and contrast-enhancing lesions on MRI were predictive of MS. The sensitivity and specificity of the respective radiological criteria were McDonald 2005 (69%, 68%), McDonald 2010 (58%, 95%), KIDMUS (8%, 100%), Callen (69%, 85%) and Verhey (62%, 84%). When McDonald 2010 criteria were applied to baseline and serial scans, the sensitivity and specificity was 91% and 93%. Conclusion: Despite the long follow-up, the risk of MS appears lower in New South Wales children compared to previously reported cohorts. Radiological features are more predictive than clinical features in predicting MS. The McDonald 2010 criteria performed well although the dissemination in time criteria on baseline scans is difficult to apply to children with encephalopathy.

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