Gender effects on disease progression in pediatric MS population (P1.350)

Objective: To investigate gender effects on multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression in pediatric MS population. Background: Males and females differ in their immunological responses and show distinctions in innate and adaptive immune responses. These sex-based immunological differences contribute to variations in the incidence of autoimmune diseases and may affect long-term outcomes. Design/Methods: Follow-up prospective study. We examined the differences of MS outcomes in pediatric MS patients divided into childhood MS (disease onset before the age of 12 years) and juvenile MS (disease onset between 12 to 18 years) followed prospectively in the Sheba MS Center, Israel, from 1995 to 2015. Comparisons were preformed between male and female patients in relation to age of disease onset, time to second relapse, disability at onset and disability at 5 years from onset. Results: 167 MS patients, 102 females, 65 males, with childhood onset MS (N=17, 8 females) and juvenile onset MS (N=150, 94 females) were included in the study. Age at disease onset, neurological disability by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) at onset and time to second relapse did not differ between childhood male and female patients. However, EDSS at 5 years from onset was higher in childhood female patients as compared to males, 2.5±0.6 vs. 1.1±0.3, respectively, p=0.017. In juvenile MS population no gender differences were found between age at onset, EDSS at onset and at 5 years, and time to second relapse. Time to second relapse was longer in childhood compared to juvenile female patients, 6.7±2.0 vs. 3.8±0.5, respectively, p=0.04. No differences in disease related variables were noted between childhood and juvenile male patients. Conclusions: Childhood male MS patients have better prognosis at 5 years from onset. In juvenile MS patients no gender differences were noted in relation to disease outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. Achiron has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme, Roche, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis as a scientific advisory board member and consultant. Dr. Achiron has received research support from Bayer-Schering Pharma, Biogen Idec, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Genzyme, Merck Serono, and Novartis. Dr. Menascu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Magalashvili has nothing to disclose. Dr. Havkin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dolev Dolgopiat has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gurevich has received research support from Biogen Idec, MerckSerono, Teva and Novartis.