Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics of MS patients and controls included in the study.

Data are expressed as mean (standard deviation) unless otherwise stated. aData are expressed as mean (interquartile range). bRefers to the number of relapses in the two previous years. EDSS: Expanded Disability Status Scale. IM: intramuscular. SC: subcutaneous. R: responders to IFNb. NR: non-responders to IFNb. *NR includes 7 stringent non-responders and 3 intermediate responders to IFNb.