Analysis of the Group of Pediatric Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Data From the Czech National Registry

Abstract

ImportanceMultiple sclerosis can also affect children. Approximately 3–10% of patients develop multiple sclerosis before the age of 16.ObjectiveThe aim of this analysis is to describe the characteristics of pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis who started their treatment with disease-modifying drugs in 2013–2020, with data obtained from the Czech National Registry of patients with multiple sclerosis.Design and SettingA method of retrospective analysis conducted with 134 pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis was used.ResultsThe findings reveal that the mean age at the date of the introduction of the first disease-modifying drugs treatment is 15.89 years, and gender does not play any role. In addition, moderate (51.6%) and mild (45.2%) relapses are predominant in these young patients. Seventy five percent of patients will not experience a confirmed progression of the expanded disability status scale within 54.7 months from starting the treatment. Furthermore, the results confirm that the first-choice treatment is interferon beta-a and glatiramer acetate, which is common for adult patients. However, some factors, such as a low efficacy or a lack of tolerance may impact on treatment discontinuation in children.ConclusionMore research should be performed on novel disease-modifying drugs for this target group.