Pregnancy-Related Disease Outcomes in Women With Moderate to Severe Multiple Sclerosis Disability

How does pregnancy affect relapse activity and disability progression in women with moderate to severe multiple sclerosis–related disability?In this cohort study involving 1631 pregnant and nonpregnant women with MS, among those with live-birth pregnancies and an EDSS score of 3 or higher, relapse rates decreased by 59% to 75% during pregnancy and increased to 36% above preconception rates in the first 3 months post partum. There was no association between pregnancy history and time to disability worsening when comparing matched pregnant and nonpregnant women, but gestational relapses were associated with shorter time to disability progression.While pregnancy history was not associated with long-term disability outcomes in this population, minimizing peripregnancy relapse activity remains essential.

Corresponding Author: Vilija G. Jokubaitis, PhD, The Alfred Centre, Level 6, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia (vilija.jokubaitis@monash.edu).

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