Characteristics of study subjects

ParametersControl groupMultiple sclerosisP
N2224Ns
Sex, N (%) Female b16 (72.7%)16 (66.6%)Ns
Age in years a38.4 ± 1435.5 ± 10Ns
Disease duration in years aNa15.9 ± 12.5-
EDSS
    Mild, N (%)Na17 (70.8%)-
    Moderate, N (%)Na4 (16.7%)-
    Severe, N (%)Na3 (12.5%)-
Disease course
    Relapsing-remitting, N (%)Na20 (83.3%)-
    Primary progressive, N (%)Na4 (16.7%)-

a Values expressed in mean ± standard deviation, student’s t-test; b values expressed in percentage, χ2 test. Na: not applicable; Ns: non-significant (P > 0.05). Expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores were categorized as mild, no to minimal disability (EDSS 0–2.5), moderate (EDSS 3–5), and severe (EDSS 5.5–10)