Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease believed to result from several factors including genetic and environmental factors as well as race and ethnicity. Ethnic differences are recognized as important contributors to presentation of MS. Hispanics are a minority group with minimal information available on characteristics of this disease. However, variability has been shown in the presentation of initial symptom in Hispanic groups as some state that optic neuritis is the most common first symptom while others state sensory symptoms are more predominant. Differences in initial symptom among Hispanic groups may be due to environmental factors as well as genetic influences from different regions of origin.
In this study we identify the most frequent initial symptom at onset of newly diagnosed Hispanic MS patients in Puerto Rico (PR).
Data was analyzed from the PRMS Foundation registry for patients diagnosed from 2017-2019. A total of 383 patients were analyzed, and data was collected through self-reported questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis.
Preliminary results show that 54% of patients had sensory symptoms combined with other symptoms as their initial symptoms, 34% had optic neuritis combined with other symptoms, and lastly, 34% had motor symptoms combined with other symptoms. This trend was also seen when analyzing single symptom presentation as 27% were sensory symptom alone, 16% presented optic neuritis alone, and 8% presented motor symptoms alone.
Differences in clinical traits of MS among Hispanic groups throughout the United States (US) may be due to environmental factors as well as genetic influences from different regions of origin. Our findings underline the importance of identifying MS characteristics among subgroups of Hispanics in the US. Acquisition of this information will assist in increasing awareness of MS in minority groups and more importantly, assist with more rapid identification and diagnosis of MS in Hispanic populations, which will ultimately result in earlier treatment, better quality of care, and increased quality of life.