Table 1 Comparative demographic characteristics of the South Asian and Caucasian subjects

N

30

34

Age at study (mean ± SD)

33.9 ± 10.9

40.79 ± 10.0*

Male:female

7:23

11:23

Ethnicity Indian:Pakistani origin

23:7

-

Immigrated <14 yrs, UK Born: >14

24:6

-

MS type RR/SP/CIS

28/2/0

29/3/2

Family history of MS

5

3

Age of onset (mean ± SD)

27.7 ± 8.6

32.7 ± 9.2**

Length of disease at time of study

8.3 ± 7.0

9.7 ± 8.5

Treatment

MSSS

5.5 ± 2.8

4.6 ± 3.1

Relapses in first 3 years

2.8 ± 2.1

2.6 ± 2.0