ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) in African American (AA) patients in the New York State Multiple Sclerosis Consortium (NYSMSC) patient registry. The NYSMSC is a group of 18 MS centers throughout New York State organized to prospectively assess clinical characteristics of MS patients. AAs comprise 6% (329) of the total NYSMSC registrants (5602). Demographics, disease course, therapy, and socioeconomic status were compared in AA registrants versus nonAfrican Americans (NAA). There was an increased female preponderance and a significantly younger age at diagnosis in the AA group. AA patients were more likely to have greater disability with increased disease duration. No differences were seen in types of MS and use of disease modifying therapies. Our findings suggest a racial influence in MS. Further genetic studies that consider race differences are warranted to elucidate mechanisms of disease susceptibility.
Subject(s)
Black or African American , Multiple Sclerosis/ethnology , Multiple Sclerosis/physiopathology , Adult , Autoimmune Diseases/complications , Cognition Disorders/ethnology , Cognition Disorders/etiology , Cognition Disorders/psychology , Disabled Persons , Employment , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Medicaid , Multiple Sclerosis/complications , Multiple Sclerosis/genetics , Multiple Sclerosis/psychology , New York/ethnology , Prospective Studies , Registries , White PeopleSubject(s)
Adie Syndrome/complications , Hypotension, Orthostatic/etiology , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
A 13-year-old girl with acute onset of symptoms limited to autonomic dysfunction was found to be suffering from infectious mononucleosis. With symptomatic therapy, improvement gradually occurred over a period of seven months. The documentation of this case widens the spectrum of disorders to be considered as a cause of so-called acute pandysautonomia or autonomic neuropathy.
