The Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in Hispanics Occurs Sooner in the Young than in Adults (P5.159)

Background: Previous studies have estimated 2-10% of all cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) to be childhood onset. How pediatric MS compares to adults in Hispanic Americans is less known. Objective: To characterize Hispanics with pediatric onset MS and compare them with adult-onset MS. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 348 patients with MS followed at University of Southern California Medical Center, including Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, with complete clinical information; including age at symptoms onset and diagnosis assessed by medical chart and questionnaire were included. Pediatric onset MS was defined as a diagnosis of MS before age 18. Results: Almost 20% (n=71) had onset of MS symptoms before 18 years of age (Mean: 13.9 ± SD 2.4) and in 18% (n=61) diagnosis was made before age 18 (14.4 ± 2.2). Most were relapsing remitting; none had primary progressive MS. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences observed by disease duration (pediatric onset 8.4 ± 6.8 vs adult 8.6 ±9.4; p=0.82). Female predominance was observed more commonly in the adult (63% vs. 50%; p =0.05) along with a longer lag time between symptom onset and diagnosis (1.9 ±3.7 years vs. 1 ±1.8 years; p=0.05) compared to pediatric onset. The proportion of patients with severe ambulatory disability (EDSS蠅 6) was similar in both groups (adult:19% vs. pediatric:11%; p=0.15). Multiregional symptom onset was more common among pediatric onset MS. Conclusion: A large proportion of Hispanics had pediatric onset MS, with the majority in the teenage years. The longer lag time between symptom onset and diagnosis seen in the adult may relate to social, clinical and environmental differences that need to be explored, including gender differences. Equal gender distribution remained after children under ten were removed from the analysis which may represent a unique feature of pediatric onset MS in Hispanics. Disclosure: Dr. Langille has nothing to disclose. Dr. Amezcua has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Questcor, Novartis and Acorda Therapeutics. Dr. Amezcua has received research support from Novartis and Acorda Therapeutics. Dr. Burnett has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Genzyme Corporation, Novartis, Serono Inc., Pfizer Inc., and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Aparicio has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mitchell has received research support from Lundbeck Research USA Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Inc., and Pfizer Inc.