Health care use preceding pediatric multiple sclerosis: A population-based study from Ontario, Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Investigations of a prodrome in multiple sclerosis (MS) usually have included adults.

Objective

To compare rates and reasons for health care use in youth with and without MS, considering time relative to the MS index date and to birth.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used population-based administrative data (1991-2020) from Ontario, Canada. We matched youth (<18 years) with MS up to 5:1 to youth without MS by sex, birth year, region, and duration of observation (full cohorts). Subcohorts had data from birth to MS index date (first demyelinating disease claim). We compared health services use, adjusting for age, sex, area-level income, region, and year.

Results

We included 451 individuals with pediatric-onset MS and 1422 without MS. As of 6 y

SUBMITTER: Marrie RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12357970 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature