First stage of Sonya Slifka study completed. (National MS Society News).

The Sonya Slifka Longitudinal Multiple Sclerosis Study, the first study to follow a nationally representative sample of the MS community over a long period of time, has completed recruitment. The study was initiated in 1999 through a multiyear Health Care Delivery and Policy Research contract from the Society to Dr. Sarah Minden and her colleagues at Abt Associates, Inc., of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Initial data from the more than 2,000 people in the study suggest that the study participants closely resemble the population of Americans with MS.

* The average age of participants is 49.7 years.

* They have been diagnosed with MS for an average of 12.5 years.

* The sample is 77% female and 92% Caucasian.

* 43% of the participants were employed at the time of the baseline interview.

* 67% are married, 15% are single, and 18% are divorced or separated.

* It is a well-educated group, with 96% having at least a high school education.

Roughly half of the participants currently take one of the disease-modifying drugs (Avonex, 24%; Copaxone, 14%; and Betaseron, 12%).

Over time, the data generated in this study will help the researchers understand aspects of prognosis, clinical course, economic status, employment, quality of life, and how these aspects interrelate.