Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic multifocal inflammatory demyelinating disease that progresses with neurodegeneration. It is caused by an abnormal autoimmune response in genetically predisposed individuals, with several environmental factors affecting disease progression. Over 2.8 million people worldwide have MS, and 1 in every 3000 people lives with MS.1–3 A latitude gradient for the disease has been described in Latin America: incidence is higher in southern countries and in northern Mexico, and considerably lower in populations nearer the equator; in Colombia, the prevalence of MS is 1.48–4.98 cases per 100 000 population.4

Diagnosis of MS is clinical, based on the identification of neurological signs and symptoms and their correlation with compatible white matter lesions.5 Cerebrospinal fluid analysis must be performed to rule out other conditions and to demonstrate intrathecal oligoclonal immunoglobulin synthesis, which is indicative of an abnormal CNS autoimmune response.6 Oligoclonal bands (OCB) and the IgG index are used for intrathecal IgG detection. As OCB are present in over 90% of patients with MS, this technique is currently the gold-standard for biochemical diagnosis of MS, despite its high cost. Furthermore, presence of OCB constitutes an independent risk factor for progression to MS in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).7,8

CSF and serum kappa-free light chain determination has gained popularity in recent years, showing similar sensitivity and specificity to OCB. An added benefit of this marker is that it is an automatic, fast, and reliable process.6,9–11 Given its progressive course and associated risk of disability, early detection of MS is essential; this will enable appropriate symptom management.12 The aim of this study is to describe the population diagnosed with MS in the past 10 years at a secondary hospital in Colombia.

The literature includes a qualitative, descriptive study conducted in Granada,13 following a phenomenological and interpretative approach, which included 30 participants with MS aged 28–66 years, of whom 19 were women (63.33%) and 11 men (36.66%). This sex distribution is similar to that of our study.

In another study, conducted in Peru,14 the authors reviewed the clinical records of 98 patients with a diagnosis of MS who were admitted to the neurology department of Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen between 2001 and 2015. By MS type, mean age was 34.3 years in the RRMS group, 40.7 years in the SPMS group, and 40.6 years among patients with PPMS. Women accounted for 51.7% of the sample. Most patients were from Lima (61.5%), while 37.4% came from other regions in Peru and 1.1% were from other countries. Regarding risk factors for MS, 29 patients (31.9%) were smokers. No other relevant medical history was observed. This study presents similarities with our own in terms of sex distribution, urban origin of the patients, history of smoking, and median age.

The most frequent comorbidities in patients with MS are depression (23.7%) and anxiety (21.9%), followed by arterial hypertension (18.6%), dyslipidaemia (10.9%), and chronic pulmonary disease (10%)15,16; these comorbidities were also found in our series.

In a study into the factors associated with time of disability progression in patients with MS attended at a centre specialising in MS in Medellín, Colombia, between 2013 and 2021, Arteaga-Noriega et al.17 included 219 patients, 25% of whom progressed to disability, with a median survival time of 78 months (Q1–Q3: 70–83). Our study, also conducted in Colombia, obtained similar results.

Among the consensus recommendations on the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with SPMS,18 the most prevalent type of MS in this study, experts recommend follow-up assessments every 3 months and an MRI study annually.19 Clinical evaluation should be performed at specialised centres by trained personnel. Similarly, the diagnosis and treatment of adults with MS according to clinical practice guidelines20 should employ specific algorithms designed for this population.

MS presents with a broad range of symptoms and its management includes specific palliative treatments. As we currently lack a cure for the disease, these treatments have contributed to a substantial improvement in symptoms at each stage of progression, improving these patients' quality of life. However, timely diagnosis is essential to prevent progression to disability.

No funding was received for this project.

Due to the descriptive, observational nature of the study, in which no intervention was performed, written informed consent was not required. The study was approved by the local healthcare research ethics committee.

The study was approved by our hospital's healthcare research ethics committee (report no. 004, dated 25 January 2023).

Study planning and performance: LGA, KAMB, JSPB, JCVC, CEOM; study design and data collection: LGA, JSPB, KAMB; analysis and presentation of results: LGA, JSPB, KAMB; drafting of the manuscript: LGA, JCVC, JSPB; final review and approval of the manuscript: KAMB, LGA, JSPB, JCVC, CEOM.