BackgroundRecent studies emphasise the importance of timely diagnosis and early
initiation of disease-modifying treatment in the long-term prognosis of
multiple sclerosis.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with
extended time to diagnosis and time to disease-modifying treatment
initiation in the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry.MethodsWe used retrospective data (diagnoses 1996–2017) of the survey-based Swiss
Multiple Sclerosis Registry and fitted logistic regression models (extended
time to diagnosis ≥2 years from first symptoms, extended time to
disease-modifying treatment initiation ≥1 year from diagnosis) with
demographic and a priori defined variables.ResultsOur study, based on 996 persons with multiple sclerosis, suggests that 40%
had an extended time to diagnosis, and extended time to disease-modifying
treatment initiation was seen in 23%. Factors associated with extended time
to diagnosis were primary progressive multiple sclerosis (odds ratio (OR)
5.09 (3.12–8.49)), diagnosis setting outside of hospital (neurologist
(private practice) OR 1.54 (1.16–2.05)) and more uncommon first symptoms
(per additional symptom OR 1.17 (1.06–1.30)). Older age at onset (per
additional 5 years OR 0.84 (0.78–0.90)) and gait problems (OR 0.65
(0.47–0.89)) or paresthesia (OR 0.72 (0.54–0.95)) as first symptoms were
associated with shorter time to diagnosis. Extended time to
disease-modifying treatment initiation was associated with older age at
diagnosis (per additional 5 years OR 1.18 (1.09–1.29)). In more recent
years, time to diagnosis and time to disease-modifying treatment initiation
tended to be shorter.ConclusionsEven in recent periods, substantial and partially systematic variation
regarding time to diagnosis and time to disease-modifying treatment
initiation remains. With the emerging paradigm of early treatment, the
residual variation should be monitored carefully.