Table 6

- Comparision of demographic and clinical characteristics of dysphagia- and non-dysphagia patients.

CharacteristicAll patients (N=102)Dysphagia patients* (n=46)Non-dysphagia patients (n=56)P-value
Mean±SD
Gender distribution (M:F)24:789:3715:410.392
Age38.18±9.7740.82±12.8137.1±9.02<0.001
Number of relapses2.58±1.462.84±1.552.45±1.450.414
Time to diagnosis (years)2.45±3.762.63±4.272.34±3.440.448
EDSS2.91±1.223.10±1.252.84±1.230.795
Period from diagnosis to start of treatment (years)2.54±3.552.58±2.692.55±3.950.366
Disease duration (years)6.26±5.466.33±5.956.22±5.250.235
Treatment duration (years)3.81±5.013.91±5.923.72±4.240.292
DYMUS result0.99±1.942.11±1.750.11±0.79<0.001
SDQ result2.94±3.915.43±4.670.89±0.850.005
EAT-10 result1.38±3.443.04±4.630.02±0.13<0.001
  • EAT-10 - eating assessment tool, DYMUS - dysphagia in multiple sclerosis, SDQ - swallowing disturbance questionnaire, SD - standard deviation, EDSS - Expanded Disability Status Scale