A contemporary study of mortality in the multiple sclerosis population of south east Wales.

•Median age at death in this UK multiple sclerosis cohort was 73.9 years. This compares to a median age at death of 65.3 years in MS patients in the same geographical region in 2006.•Primary progressive disease course was associated with increased hazard of death in women but not in men.•Older age at onset, lower socioeconomic status, and rapid accumulation of early disability were also associated with increased hazard of death.•Excess mortality, controlled for age and sex, increases with EDSS, most notably with EDSS 6.0 and higher.