The Gulf War era multiple sclerosis cohort: 3. Early clinical features.

In this incident cohort, males and blacks had significantly higher proportions of primary progressive MS. DSS at diagnosis was significantly more severe in blacks and significantly less so in whites and in women vs men, but MSSS was only marginally greater in black males and other-race males. This morbidity assessment early in the course of MS provides population-based data for diagnosis, management, and prognosis.