Table 4 Univariate analysis of baseline characteristics to determine associations with disease severity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Age, years

56 ± 11.2

43.3 ± 12.3

< 0.001*

Sex (female), n (%)

12 (75)

31 (77.5)

0.841

Disease duration, years

19.0 ± 8.8

11.2 ± 8.7

0.004*

Current smoking, n (%)

2 (12.5)

3 (7.7)

0.573

Current dental visiting, n (%)

9 (56.3)

12 (30.8)

0.077

High relative abundance of F. nucleatum, n (%)

8 (50.0)

5 (12.5)

0.003*

MS subtype

< 0.001*

RRMS, n (%)

8 (50.0)

38 (95.0)

SPMS, n (%)

8 (50.0)

2 (5.0)

Number of attacks

4.2 ± 4.8

2.2 ± 2.6

0.046

Relapse within one year, n (%)

3 (18.8)

5 (12.5)

0.546

MRI findings

Periventricular, n (%)

16 (33.3)

32 (80.0)

0.053

Cortical or juxtacortical, n (%)

11 (68.8)

30 (75.0)

0.633

Infratentorial, n (%)

13 (81.3)

28 (70.0)

0.390

Spinal cord, n (%)

13 (81.3)

29 (72.5)

0.495

DMD

0.427

Low-efficacy treatment or drug free, n (%)

7 (43.8)

13 (32.5)

High-efficacy treatment, n (%)

9 (56.3)

27 (67.5)