Objective: Multiple sclerosis is the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults after trauma. In this study we analyzed the demographic and clinical features of MS patients in the upper part section of Fırat river between 1997 and 2007. We also evaluated the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score.

Material and Methods: Among 297 patients, 121 patients those known to have definite MS according to 2005 revisions to the McDonald's criteria and those followed up by Neurology Department were included in the study. Demographic data and case-related information were recorded from hospital database.

Results: Among these patients 30.6% were males and 69.4% were females. The mean age at onset was 30.41 ±9.4 years. Mean duration of disease was 8.00 ±5.9 years. The presenting symptoms were motor in 32%, sensory in 24%, optic neuritis in 15.7%, brainstem- cerebellar finding 21.5% and other findings in 6.6%. Disease course was defined as relapsing-remitting course in 54.5% of patients, secondary progressive in 28%, primary progressive in 12.3% and benign course in 4.9% of patients. We were recorded familial multiple sclerosis frequency in 11.5%.

Conclusion: In this study our results were compared with other studies reported in the literature. Despite the inadequate number of patients enrolled, because these data's are valuable, since this is the first epidemiologic data's of MS patients localized in our region. We hope that our data's will be a guide for further researches.