Gender differences among patients with multiple sclerosis in Kyrgyz Republic

Objective: to assess gender-related differences in age at onset, clinical characteristics, relapse frequency, and disability level in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Material and methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and treated at the National Hospital of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic between January 2021 and December 2024. A total of 72 patients with RRMS were included. Clinical parameters analyzed included age at disease onset, neurological manifestations, annual relapse rate, disability status assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and selected risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and comparative methods, with statistical significance defined as p<0.05.

Results. The cohort included 16 men (22.2%) and 56 women (77.8%). The mean age at disease onset was higher in men than in women (33.3 vs 28.4 years; p=0.200). Mean EDSS scores were 3.06 in men and 2.87 in women (p=0.610). The annual relapse rate was significantly higher in women compared with men (1.32 vs 0.97; p=0.019). Women more frequently presented with sensory and visual symptoms, whereas men more often exhibited motor and cerebellar manifestations. No statistically significant gender differences were identified for the analyzed risk factors.

Conclusion. Gender-related differences were observed in relapse frequency and clinical presentation among patients with RRMS. Other evaluated parameters did not show statistically significant differences. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings.

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