Table 2 Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics

Age in years, mean (SD)

52.0 (7.6)

Female, n (%)

26 (60.5)

Education in years, mean (SD)

13.2 (3.4)

BMI, n (%)

Underweight (< 18.5 kg/m2),

2 (4.7)

Healthy weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2)

23 (53.5)

Overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2),

12 (27.9)

Obesity (≥ 30.0 kg/m2)

6 (14)

Smoking status (current smokers), n (%)

6 (14.0)

Family status, n (%)^a

Married/living with partner

28 (73.7)

Single/divorced/widowed

10 (26.3)

Employment status, n (%)^a

Full-time/part-time employment

15 (39.5)

Housemaker

1 (2.6)

Unemployed/unable to work/retired

22 (57.9)

Disease duration since diagnosis in years, mean (SD)

Disease duration since first symptoms in years, mean (SD)

14.6 (7.7)

18.9 (8.0)

Disease course, n (%)

RRMS

11 (25.6)

SPMS

16 (37.2)

PPMS

14 (32.6)

Unknown

2 (4.7)

Impairment as assessed by PDDS, n (%)

Normal

1 (2.3)

Mild disability

2 (4.7)

Moderate disability

Gait disability

Early cane

Late cane

Bilateral support

Wheelchair/scooter

Bedridden

5 (11.6)

14 (32.6)

5 (11.6)

3 (7)

9 (20.9)

4 (9.3)

0

Disease-modifying therapies, n (%)

No therapy

Category 1^b

Category 2^c

Category 3^d

24 (55.8)

6 (13.9)

2 (4.7)

11 (25.6)

Internet use in daily life, n (%)

More than 5 times a week

2 to 5 times a week

Once a week at most

Once a month at most

Less than once a month

27 (62.8)

13 (30.2)

1 (2.3)

1 (2.3)

1 (2.3)