Table 1

Characteristics of samples

		Sample
		Hospital	Postal
No of patients	149	288
Women (%)	68	72
Age (y) (mean (SD; range))	45 (11; 24–78)	52 (12; 21–80)
Years since diagnosis (mean (SD; range))	10 (8; 0.1–38)	14 (10; 1–51)
Years since first symptoms (mean (SD; range))	15 (9; 0.6–43)	19 (11; 1–59)
Disability level (%)
Mild (EDSS ⩽4.5)	32	N/A
Moderate (EDSS 5.0 to 6.5)	34	N/A
Severe (EDSS ⩾7.0)	34	N/A
Indoor mobility %^1-150
Walk unaided	N/A	33
Walk aided	N/A	38
Use a wheel chair	N/A	29