Pregnancy Data in a Turkish Multiple Sclerosis Population.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To conduct the first retrospective clinical study investigating pregnancy in Turkish multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. SUMMARY: We evaluated 558 pregnancies in 199 MS patients and results were compared with general Turkish population's data. The fertility rate in the MS group was found to be lower than that in the general population, even before MS diagnosis was established. Our study suggests that the higher number of pregnancies may have a favorable effect on transition from relapsing-remitting MS to secondary progressive MS, although no effect has been shown regarding the possibility to reach EDSS 6.0 as a milestone. KEY MESSAGES Our data support the conclusion that MS does not have a negative effect on the MS course and disability.